Been waiting so long for this it seems, and it does not disappoint! Stunning return from Deaf Center.
Deaf Center - Owl Splinter - 2011
http://www.mediafire.com/?4719f21by966tf1In the most simple of terms, ‘Owl Splinters’ is a great album. This latest work from Norwegian duo Deaf Center, builds on the illustrious reputation they set when they released ‘Pale Ravine’ six years ago. Now regarded as masters of creating bleak atmospheric audio worlds full of gloomy and mysterious imagery, ‘Owl Splinters’ presents itself as a brilliant sounding record and one that displays a maturing collaboration between its two creators…
Having had the opportunity to delve deep into ‘Owl Splinters,’ perhaps its most striking quality is in its production value. The lo-fi techniques found in ‘Pale Revine’ are souped-up considerably thanks to the music being recorded at Nils Frahm’s Durton studio in Berlin. This is evident from album opener ‘Divider’ where Erik Skovdin’s cello loops itself in foreboding fashion to create a sea of blackness. The sound is sharp, layered and loud, and a stereoscopic sense of foreboding is conjured. Having this play on full volume is recommended as these sounds will completely envelop the listener.
In addition to the quality of the production, where one can hear the minutest of sounds, the other underlying attributes of this album are both in its ambition and scope. On ‘New Beginning (Tidal Darkness)’ we are taken on journey deep into a place of mystery as the cadaverous bass of Otto Totland’s piano initially work to support Skovdin’s cello. In the end the two come together with the creepy high notes of piano balanced by a swirling darkness of strings.
Perhaps the centre piece of the album comes in the ten minute epic ‘The Day I Would Never Have.’ Here, once again the balance of the two musicians is delicate as we hear small glitches and clicks work their way into the music. A loud force of light is concocted as the bowing of strings build to an unrelenting crescendo. The break away from this is enthralling as a relative silence is then greeted with delicate piano play to bring the track to a close.
These grand compositions are also supported by shorter numbers which showcase the individual skills of each performer. ‘Time Spent’ is a wonderful piano track right up there with some of the works of revered pianists like Keith Kenniff and indeed Nils Frahm. While ‘Animal Sacrifice’ showcases some prolific bowing from its player.
Despite casting ‘Owl Splinters’ as a continuation of the doom lead sound that Deaf Center have become synonymous with, there can be no doubting that in amongst the nightmarish qualities presented there is also a ghostly beauty at work. At many times one will be touched by notes and indeed phrases in ways that other musicians within this genre have failed to achieve. As such ‘Owl Splinters’ comes with the highest of recommendations and stands as one of the most essential releases of the year thus far.
- Review by Josh Atkin for Fluid Radio
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