Noctilucant - Oblivion To You All

Noctilucant is another dark ambient project who creates stories through their dreary set pieces and slow moving, atmospheric tracks. Based in Wisconsin in the United States, he describes himself as cinematic dark ambient and has had several albums released since September of 2015. His latest release is Oblivion To You All and this is the album I was forwarded for personal judgement. 

Oblivion To You All is a very well produced album and the level of skill this talented artist is noted. It absolutely isn't terrible but the problem remains - as with many other dark ambient/drone projects -  that he has an identity crisis. Pair Noctilucant's music next to any other dark ambient producer and you'd probably be scratching your head wondering whose music is whose. The tracks are moody, atmospheric, and have trickles of far off noises which are the same words I have used and can use to describe a LOT of other projects. 

That isn't to say that Noctilucant can't pull off a song that is absolutely wondrous. The track 'Those Peaceful Days of our Past?' is an excellent, sci-fi inspired astounding track with various nature samples. As I try and imagine the world Noctilucant has created with this album, I can only imagine this either being a few folks reminiscing the old world or them finding an oasis. 

However, unless Noctilucant can find some way to break through the dark ambient barrier, he will be another artist lost in a sea of similar sounding artists. 
Aug 17 2016