Ogni Videniy - Sounding Emptiness
I must
confess that I can name myself as a book worm; I have been always reading quite
a lot trying to learn more about the world around or just for entertainment.
Modern society is changing and this kind of leisure is not that common
nowadays. Anyhow, I am always surprised by the amount of cultural differences
that exists in this world. Even seemingly identical words and definitions can
have a completely different meaning if considered by different people with a
completely different background. The same is with the word "emptiness" which is
always associated with a definition of "nothingness" or "the state of
containing nothing". But in Buddhism the word "emptiness" (Sunyata) is a kind
of phenomenon for the western culture when it equals to endless potential
manifestation of everything existent in the world. Emptiness or Voidness does
not mean nothingness, but rather that all things lack intrinsic reality,
intrinsic objectivity, intrinsic identity or intrinsic referentiality. Lacking
such static essence or substance does not make them not exist - it makes them
thoroughly relative. After the Buddha, emptiness was further developed by Nāgārjuna and the Mādhyamaka school, an early Mahāyāna school.
Emptiness ("positively" interpreted) is also an important element of
the Buddha nature literature, which played a
formative role in the evolution of subsequent Mahāyāna doctrine and practice.
But what if you imagine that emptiness exists without any interference from human side, like some abstract meditative dwelling? What could be the shell of such an existence? Its color? Its sound? Those questions find answers in the new album of Archangelsk (Russian Federation) based artist Ogni Videniy ("Fires of Visions") that is called by very simple, but truly comprehensive name "Sounding Emptiness".
Apparently, the geographical position of this north Russian city contributes a lot to development of unique stream in industrial music and Ogni Videniy is one of the most striking representatives of the local scene. Being active for more than ten years, Peter released a decent quantity of very interesting albums binding together different traditional sound sources like bells, pipes, percussions and others, creating mysterious droning melodies combined with field recordings. I had a pleasure of listening to few of them that were released through one of my favorite labels Vetvei, but somehow, the theme of emptiness as a mental state has demanded a change in scenery and led to an almost complete change in sound as well. Notorious Moscow resident Zhelezobeton hosted this new record during 2014 to present it in an ultra-limited edition of 77 copies only, though I must admit from a learning perspective, this kind of a limitation is quite shameful for the music of such a quality.
Unlike the previous albums that were full of ritualistic elements, this one is built mostly on analogue hand-made sound processors. Different looping noises create a continuous stream of textures that reminds me of a kaleidoscope where breathtaking images are assembled by accidental parts. Those fractals of music force me to fall into a deep meditative mood. "Immersion" and "Sleeping Pads on the Bottom" have this exact atmosphere when the mind starts to disconnect from the body to reach a mode perception which is achieved through a process of intense concentration, coupled with the insight that notes more and more subtle levels of the presence and absence of disturbance. A low humming voice guides me through this process during "Sleeping Pads" track to ensure that I certainly reach this specific mode. But don't think about this material as being only a background for meditation, it has much more to offer when the music is constantly covered with different special effects, cracks , ticks and clicks, scratches, sudden noises and other morphing elements implementing quite a log of action in specific compositions like "Ashes from the Tablecloth", "Scattered Embers" or "The Pass". Peter doesn't forget about operating with field recordings as well, but their presence is less tangible until I reach "Wollo" and it seems that the whole track is recorded in some field full of blowing wind, night birds, frogs and insects and the artist only corrected it a little bit with additional soft electronic pulsations. "Sounding Emptiness" is the name of the long final track that concludes a sonic journey through microcosm of self-exploration.
I am sure that everybody has his own routine life cycle full of day job and other traditional occupations that make him turn as a squirrel in a wheel. But with no doubt, everybody has to be sure that he steps out of this wheel even for an hour each day to feel different emotions, to feel a fulfillment from existence and not only this constant routine. So, if you are in a mood for a calm and relaxing evening, this album can fit perfectly for it. Grab it before it is too late, only 77 copies are available out there.
May 19 2015
But what if you imagine that emptiness exists without any interference from human side, like some abstract meditative dwelling? What could be the shell of such an existence? Its color? Its sound? Those questions find answers in the new album of Archangelsk (Russian Federation) based artist Ogni Videniy ("Fires of Visions") that is called by very simple, but truly comprehensive name "Sounding Emptiness".
Apparently, the geographical position of this north Russian city contributes a lot to development of unique stream in industrial music and Ogni Videniy is one of the most striking representatives of the local scene. Being active for more than ten years, Peter released a decent quantity of very interesting albums binding together different traditional sound sources like bells, pipes, percussions and others, creating mysterious droning melodies combined with field recordings. I had a pleasure of listening to few of them that were released through one of my favorite labels Vetvei, but somehow, the theme of emptiness as a mental state has demanded a change in scenery and led to an almost complete change in sound as well. Notorious Moscow resident Zhelezobeton hosted this new record during 2014 to present it in an ultra-limited edition of 77 copies only, though I must admit from a learning perspective, this kind of a limitation is quite shameful for the music of such a quality.
Unlike the previous albums that were full of ritualistic elements, this one is built mostly on analogue hand-made sound processors. Different looping noises create a continuous stream of textures that reminds me of a kaleidoscope where breathtaking images are assembled by accidental parts. Those fractals of music force me to fall into a deep meditative mood. "Immersion" and "Sleeping Pads on the Bottom" have this exact atmosphere when the mind starts to disconnect from the body to reach a mode perception which is achieved through a process of intense concentration, coupled with the insight that notes more and more subtle levels of the presence and absence of disturbance. A low humming voice guides me through this process during "Sleeping Pads" track to ensure that I certainly reach this specific mode. But don't think about this material as being only a background for meditation, it has much more to offer when the music is constantly covered with different special effects, cracks , ticks and clicks, scratches, sudden noises and other morphing elements implementing quite a log of action in specific compositions like "Ashes from the Tablecloth", "Scattered Embers" or "The Pass". Peter doesn't forget about operating with field recordings as well, but their presence is less tangible until I reach "Wollo" and it seems that the whole track is recorded in some field full of blowing wind, night birds, frogs and insects and the artist only corrected it a little bit with additional soft electronic pulsations. "Sounding Emptiness" is the name of the long final track that concludes a sonic journey through microcosm of self-exploration.
I am sure that everybody has his own routine life cycle full of day job and other traditional occupations that make him turn as a squirrel in a wheel. But with no doubt, everybody has to be sure that he steps out of this wheel even for an hour each day to feel different emotions, to feel a fulfillment from existence and not only this constant routine. So, if you are in a mood for a calm and relaxing evening, this album can fit perfectly for it. Grab it before it is too late, only 77 copies are available out there.
May 19 2015
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