Various Artists - Tomb of Empires

Welcoming some new faces to the label, Cryo Chamber proudly presents forth a new four way split titled Tomb of Empires. Released just in October, eight tracks from various artists showcases some of the new potential on the already well established label.

Council of Nine opens the album with Chimes of the Unfortunate. Spacious works flowed through my skull as the most basic of clashes in this empty space sent shivers down my spine. Perfectly fitting for relaxation and meditation, there is hardly a way you can go wrong in shutting down after a hard day's work than by closing yourself off to the world around you, and letting this track completely take over your soul.

Alphaxone came in next with Mysterious, but the sounds that were presented to me were nothing all too uncanny. Nice and light, each effect hitting decently, the song was able to sooth me, however many of the sounds were standard for the genre, so settling in with this one wasn't as easy as it was with the previous track.

I'd say that Coph' antae Tryr's efforts on Comprehended were tried but true, as well. The heavy drone chords that rang in the air beckoned forth still images of dangerous natural landscapes, but, at the same time, it called to other artist's efforts that I've previously heard. Well done, but almost monotonous.

Making a return, Alphaxone presented his next track, Near to Nothing. The static ambiance and all that flowed through it, including a very slight electronic beat that rumbled beneath the echoing effects, were all well placed. Again, perhaps something that's heard all too often in the dark ambient field, but put together very nicely.

The more light hearted beginning half of Coph' antae Tryr's companion piece to the last track Nothing to Near was well done, and the guitar centric drones that accompanied the latter half of the song did justice. I'd say this piece was more unique, and had a better taste to it than this one's previous effort.

Though moving in a constant sense, I was none too impressed by Foundation Hope's The Kind. The static drone noise that was lowered and raised in volume on its own like waves of wind coming and going wasn't the best choice of effect, and had me worried a few times that there was something wrong with my earphones. I'd say their next effort, The Beacon, was the better of the two pieces, maintaining a more stable atmosphere and overall groove I could dig into. I absolutely adored the part where multiple whistling like sounds accompanied a forbidden sound. It was grand and alarming.

The final song once more came from Council of Nine, this time in the form of Blood Lit Skies. The twelve minute length serves well, and while I wouldn't say this was as powerful as Nine's other piece on the split, it certainly had me at peace once more.

And, for this split, I'd say it had a little bit of everything going for it. None of the songs on it are bad at all, though some do utilize tactics that I've heard one too many times to find applause for. Council of Nine was the real stand out act on this split, serving two extremely well done tracks that would have me setting to rest in no time should such a thing occur. Nonetheless, you can expect to find something all dark ambient and drone enthusiasts will enjoy within this release. Nov 05 2014