Sal Solaris & Reutoff - Eigengrau

Every time that I see a new release being announced by Canadian Cyclic Law, my heart begins to gallop with anticipation. I am a big fan of this label and don't remember even one single album that fell below expectations. Since releasing physical materials became quite a burden and frequently supported by raw enthusiasm only, constantly investing so much effort in this process should be respected more than ever before. This time a joint venture of two Russian projects finds its home under the banners of Cyclic Law and receives a code name "Eigengrau" which basically means "dark light", or "brain grey", kind of a term for uniform dark gray background that many people report seeing in the absence of light. Sal Solaris and Reutoff, the names that mean a lot for those of us who keep tracking development and evolution of Eastern block scene during last fifteen years; both of them have a rich portfolio of extremely interesting albums, influencing the underground movement of industrial music in Russia and the whole post-Soviet area as well. Sal Solaris draw a lot of attention from Brutal Resonance crew recently with a package of strong music and I don't feel that this duo needs a lengthy introduction. But Reutoff is being covered by me for the first time and I cannot pass by without mentioning that the project is active for more than fifteen years already and continues to present an acid mixture of dark ambient, hypnotic drumming and heart-felt melodies year in and year out with adorable persistence.

Sal Solaris are the first to discuss with us an influence of "visual noise" on human brain using their cold complex electronics. The opening track "Navigare Est Necesse" presents a recognizable signature of Sal Solaris music when a hypnotic melody begins to draw mysterious pictures. Cold, sterile sound moves forward with its thin drones raising "laboratory-like" images supported by cyclic voice repeating the same words: "The metal burns, but the human didn't". The next track "Essay on the Reality of Science Studies" continues to progress in the same vein of minimalistic electronics creating a dreamy atmosphere with a decent flair of cinematic approach while the following "Vivere Non Necesse Est" brings more dynamics with a drum beat and constantly morphing melody. Even without breaking the borders of their usual creative process, Sal Solaris have a lot to offer to their loyal listeners. But it is certainly obvious that the biggest highlight of their contribution to this collaboration is the fourth composition "Children of the Dead". A simply mind-blowing piece of dark industrial music blasts the speakers injecting a lot of anger and evil energy by its tribal origin focusing on the theme of some pervert cult where the words of a small boy are the culmination of this ritual:

"When my body will be corroded by demons of darkness, when my body will be filled by darkness, since all the light that is radiated from me fills each and every atom of the universe..."

Without a doubt, Sal Solaris generate the music of a truly high standard passing a baton to Reutoff that have to deal with the situation from this point. And I was rather astonished to discover Reutoff to play the lead in this collaboration release with their four breathtaking compositions. I must admit that I definitely didn't expect such a delight, but the first tunes of "No=Never" proved once again that sometimes I become a hostage of my false estimations. While the sound of Sal Solaris was based on cold mechanical drones with a quite minimalistic approach, Reutoff present very complex patterns which have a certain melodic structure. Wide ambience fills the air and colorful textures start to blossom all around when the soft melody drives forward all the structure. "Bury The Loved and Burn the others" continues to hit my ears with wide electronics and floating melodies guided by a gentle rhythmic beat. "Stolen Eyes" carries a strong futuristic charge and can easily become a soundtrack of some sci-fi movie. The final track "Na Orbite" (in orbit) binds deep space with romantics and melancholy where the light of distant stars blinks on panels of a space ship and lights up souls of brave men.

If I look at this release through the prism of criticism, I could definitely mention that both bands bring completely different sensual listening experience. While Sal Solaris speak in terms of dark ambient and drone side of industrial music, Reutoff leave much warmer impression balancing on the edge between ambient and IDM. It is extremely hard to judge this album as a whole that's why I would like to enjoy both parts separately and must admit that Cyclic Law succeeds to surprise me once again. Another solid record enters my collection and captures a special corner in my heart. Dec 20 2014