Cucurbitophobia - The Harbinger

This review was commissioned through Ko-fi. However, it bears no weight on the score or decision. All reviews are written from an unbiased standpoint. 

My last outing with Cucurbitophobia was not tasteful; their take on an industrial metal track was mediocre at best. Nonetheless, the project is known more for their spooky soundtrack scores, Halloween ambiance, and horror influences more than anything. So, upon revisiting Cucurbitophobia I am introduced to his latest single, 'The Harbinger'. This dark ambient work fused with piano revolves around the concept of the "return of an ominous figure who has disappeared after a long absence." This shapeshifting being can present itself as your most sought-after prize or something of great disgust - I almost imagine something like It from the titular novel and later movies. 



'The Harbinger', with its minimalism and sometimes jarring sound effects, won't evoke the same emotions as some of your favorite classic horror films. But it does create a spooky enough atmosphere that could easily play during your Halloween night. The first couple of minutes give way to both high and low piano notes playing in conjunction with one another as rain, sweeping winds, and other atmospheric textures bless themselves in the song. I would say that the length of the track is a downside, however; at nearly eight minutes long, there's not quite enough meat to keep it playing for that long until I decide that I've had enough. Sure, there's a bit of a climax near the six-minute mark, but it's a too little, too late scenario. If the beginning of the track was cut down even to two minutes, and then we got that relatively cool climax, and then faded out to the end I think the song would be much more satisfying. Instead, on each play, I sit and wait until I get to the end. 

A minor note, and one that I have leftover from 'Doomsday Clock', is that the song is not as crisp and clear as it ought to be. Perhaps getting someone to commit to mixing and mastering the track would go a long way on their next release. 

While 'The Harbinger' is not altogether bad or terrible, it's a bit disappointing.  Cucurbitophobia is certainly heading in the right direction, they just aren't quite there yet. Five-and-a-half out of ten. 
May 30 2022