This is the newest release from the experimental "ethnic drone" one-man band, the previous one being the band's debut full-lenght. Along with the limited physical edition, the EP is available as a free download on the band's website.
"III" sounds noticeably hazier and less logical in it's progress than I would've expected based on the band's earlier works. If this is just an experimentation caused by the session member Ilja Salomon (who handles some guitars and a music module on the EP) or a stable change in the band's style is something I can't know for sure. Be it how ever it may, I warmly welcome this release as it features some of the deepest, most mystical and multi-layered music from the band to date.
The band's music is still pretty much based on the same elements as before. The acoustic string instruments create some eastern soundscape with their simplistic rhythm-based melodies, and occasionally they team up with electric guitar riffs that add more power and a modern side to the music with their clear but edgy sound. The release's beat section consists of some traditional percussions that are used rather sparsely this time, and their organic sounds are only used for supporting purposes and are thus shamefully easily left unnoticed. There's occasionally some bass guitar and electric guitar drones to give the soundscape some mass and slowly pulsating movement, which works great together with the more melody- and pattern-based strings. There's also a few well chosen and -imbued jungle- and other samples here and there to deepen the atmospheres and to colour the soundscapes further.
The main thing that sets this one apart from the band's earlier material is the above mentioned session member Mr. Salomon and his usage of the music module. The white noise, droning, radio static -like sounds and other "harsh ambient" it creates add a whole new dark and unexplored dimension to the music. The thing just is that this darkness doesn't really compliment the other instruments, and vice versa; the band's overall pace is slower than usual and some empty space was left for the extra droning and noises to fill, but there's not much to take the listener's attention from the brooding atmospheres created through the module and as they don't really create any certain high points that the listener might grab a hold of, the music becomes too stale for the most part. When there are acoustic strings on top of the drones and modules, their power is lowered as they lose some edge and impact due to drones filling up all the space around them, and thus they can't deliver the kick the songs would've needed.
The cover arts by V. Lähde add a whole new level of mysticism to the whole release. The minimalistic and primitive approach might give too little to many, but I found the lightly coloured and mystical, swamp-reminiscent cover arts and the bare cardboard insert very fitting to the music. Nature comes, delivered through DIY.
I had too high expectations for this one. It's pleasing to see that the band hasn't stuck to it's style, but this experimentation fell short of it's capabilities. It doesn't really find it's unique balance between the structureless droning and electronics and the melodic and rhythmic organic instruments, nor between the dark elements and the melancholic, exploratory mysticism and the even slightly cheerful moments. The whole ends up falling between it's two very different main elements, which really brings it's value down. It's an interesting experimentation to listen to, and as I said in the second paragraph it features some really quality material per se, but it's just doesn't live up to it's high capabilities. It ends up sounding like an experiment conducted between two actual releases that was more based on daring than actually working hard on making it and it's ideas really function and shine in their unique way. If you're expecting for nothing more, you're in for a treat. It will be interesting to see if the band develops this concept further.