Pholde / Sylken Sculptor CD

'SCULPTOR' is a perfect blending of styles, a seemless match of textures and tones ... A collaboration between Eric Hopper of Sylken and Alan Bloor of Pholde and Knurl (along with frequent Sylken collaborator Joe G.), the metallic sounds of Alan's sculptures prove to be the perfect compliment to the drifting atmospheres of Eric's music, creating a mesmerizing tableau of sound simultaneously familiar and alien to the listener. With opener "Metalon", the duo create an atmosphere of deep and dark space, a blend of lonely environment and the cold caress of metal. "Call of a Distant Time" propels itself forward with an arpegiated melody that brings to mind the stardust left in a meteor's wake. Skip ahead to "Phasers on Caress" where synth lines bubble and swirl like magma oozing through primoridal worlds, lightly filed tones suggesting strands of otherness throughout. The epic "Keeper of the Deep" brings all of these elements and more together in a summation of where we've gone and leading us into new environments, new territories that have yet to be explored. Engaging and enchanting, 'SCULPTOR' is a brilliant collection of songs which will surely be enjoyed by fans of both Sylken and Pholde, as well as fans of the space music genre. Given the high level of quality of this release, let us hope that it's the first of many such collaborations between these two remarkable talents. ~ © rik maclean © 2004 - PiNG THiNGS ~ ---------------Eric Hopper is Sylken, an ambient composer. Pholde is Alan Bloor, who creates custom-made metal instruments. Together, along with guest Joe G on synths, they create a unique musical masterpiece that blends unexpected elements. I know few people who share my affection for both Berlin school and more ambient styles, and even fewer who would dare to combine them both at once. After the dark gurgling "Metalon" starts us off, we jump into just such a strangely compelling hybrid, "Call of a Distant Time." Swirling deep space sound effects get things going, then a lovely light sequence pops in, along with shimmering synths in the higher register. These two disparate themes somehow meld quite agreeably. The metallic character of Bloor's instruments is evident on "The Eclipse of Mind." The backing synths are bright at first, but then disappear into the dark corners. This and several other tracks are more about texture and mood than melody. "Object of Desires" has some soft guitar work that nicely accents the melancholic sounds, another study in contrasting styles working together well. Favorite track title goes to "Phasers on Caress," which presents as an eclectic collection of abstract sonic shapes. Soft percussion at the end sounds just like the backing of many a classic Tangerine Dream piece from the 1970s. Rich echoes form the basis for the epic "Keeper of the Deep," scary stuff. The brief "Metalons" brings us to the end. Recommended.~ © Phil Derby © 2004 - Electroambient Space ~