| Se Its En (CD) | 2003 | Blue Sector |
The music is based on seven dreams of its creator. Neither of them could have been very pleasant from the sound of it. Each track lasts exactly 7 minutes. Not a second more. Not a second less. Seven tracks of seven minutes each... 7x7. I do not know what it means or if it does mean something at all, but it does make one wonder.
The music, if one could call it music, is mostly made out of sinister and haunting sounds. Some sound like an engine room. Some are whispers or ghostly howls that fade in and out. Some are ritual drums. Some are faint computerlike sounds. And some are digital audio that I can only describe as being like a dark, thick dream-mist. Combine everything and you have an extremely claustrophobic treat.
Each track has interesting and thought provoking elements in it. Track three ends with sudden fuzz interrupting and sweeping away the music. It is almost like the person wakes up from the dream. Track four has deep growls in it with a whimpering response to it. The name of the track, Devourer, pretty much explains this. The whole album is a journey that can most likely be explained in similar ways, but the meaning of the dreams is hidden and only the author knows the truth behind them.
I suspect that the lyrics are in Finnish as I cannot really grasp the meaning of them, but on the other hand they are quite hard to discern anyways.
I am reviewing this release because I find it really of interest for doom fans, especially those who are fans of Dolorian or other horror doom bands. Not to mention that this is music for everyone who enjoys being a bit paranoid and shaky after the music finishes.
1. Solar Horn
2. Emanation
3. I Lure Rot
4. Devourer
5. Ulterior
6. Mania Tone
7. Lunar Horn
Approx. 49 minutes
| Par-Antra I: Vir (CD) | 2004 | Aural Hypnox |
Another facinating thing about the music on the CD comes from a quote on the projects homepage. "Meditation upon the aural and visual sigils enables you to access everything the sigil represents, without consciously thinking about it". The "Sigil" is the aural energies in the music and the visual energy of the image on the cover. They are constructed to enable you to let go of all the preconceptions of the world to truly understand the "Vir". Vir is the latin word for man, so I'm guessing this means that we should embark on an inner journey to discover a man's or mankind's secrets to us. If you want to read more about this then there is a page about it on Halo Manash's homepage: http://www.helixes.org/halomanash. There is also a link to a website about alchemy in their links section and it might be interesting reading as the music seems to be influenced by mental alchemy.
The music itself has advanced a little from 'Se Its En'. It is still a vast dark soundscape embraced by one of the creepiest atmospheres that I have ever heard. Ritualistic drums, ghostly sounds that fade in and out, haunting whispers that seems to come from no one, and lingering isolationistic synths that flows past like an etheral wind. Even when the lights are on, it still feels like the trancelike music darkens the room around you.
Exactly what the forumula, if any at all, is to the energy in the music, I don't know. Nor do I fully understand what it is that can make you achieve insight from listening to the audio. I have used many hours contemplating about this mysterious CD and I will not end my search for it's answers yet, but one thing I do know already is that the enthralling aura of the "Vir" is a truly unique experience.
1. ast unTA AKSElin
2. VARJOutoMAA
3. joenukkuMA-A lue
4. kilKU ISKA AJAn alla
5. puhdASTRAALIvalo
6. MAgneTisOitUNut aival
7. TULVI Alas keESTIIN
8. AURAsh
9. siE LUs tO
Approx. 63 minutes
| SYoMA (CD) | 2004 | Aural Hypnox |
The overal haunting, void-like sound of the music hasn't changed much since 'Se Its En', the first Halo Manash full-length. One of the most notable differences is the more prominent guitar drones. Don't jump to conclusions and think that you'll find anything Sunn O)))-like on 'SYoMA'. The fact that the drone is made by acoustic instruments is just the first of the major differences. This is a sinister and industrial sounding dirge with nothing in common with the drone/doom scene.
A wide variety of instruments is used. This includes what seems like a dosen different wind instruments, chimes and skin crawling noises which cannot really be identified as anything from this world. But the most cruel touch is the chanting whispers that seem to fade in and out of the music. It's like a presence that has no distinct figure or shape, but instead drifts calmly around you.
Just like the earlier Halo Manash releases this is meant to enlighten you. It's purpose is meditation and actually does captivate the listener if you just close your eyes and allow yourself to drift away with the music. Of course this is quite an intense journey through the fabric of the universe, often touching the place where nightmares are born. This would probably be a good time to warn you that the disturbing sounds on 'SYoMA' can be way too much for a fragile mind. Still, although this CD does have the capability to induce fear, it is extremely mind stimulating.
Halo Manash is a really underrated band if you ask me. Even within the scene of the dark ambient/industrial genre, it seems to be quite unknown actually. I do not know why. All I know is that I am sure everyone who is a fan of this genre (and strong enough to cope with this kind of music) will enjoy this. As I said, it truly is a masterpiece...
1. putoUSVA
2. usvaISuusiuTUVA
3. aLASpäIn sYÖn
4. Etä-etisijä
5. irTAUTumInensin
6. silvOINnokkaASTiEtoa
7. LOi muUTOS
8. SYoMA
Approx. 58 minutes