Karsten Hamre- Broken Whispers

CD Title: Broken Whispers
Label: Flood The Earth Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 5/8/06

After years of releasing projects under such names as Arcane Art or legendary Cold Meat Industry act Penitent, dark ambient composer Karsten Hamre emerges with his first project to be released under his own name. As is to be expected, it's an exquisite exploration of drones, tones, and bleak soundscapes, starting off with the fairly abstract clicks and low trills of "Abandoned Glory." "Fortuna Synapsis" is similarly abstract, with dark tones panning slowly across the stereo channels above an undercurrent of shimmering blips, while "The Black Waves" is industrial ambient in the classic sense, with echoing clatters and distant orchestral horns giving it a hint of martial atmosphere. Album centerpiece "Enshrouded Lands" is perhaps the album's best, a grim death march of slow rhythms and melancholy symphonic effects, while the sustained tones of the appropriately titled "An Ominous Serenade" change so subtly the effect is nearly subliminal. "Dioxide Universal" is almost soothing, with gentle burbling static adorned with occasional piano chords or electronic buzzing effects, and "When Darkness Falls" closes things off with deep orchestral ambiance. Highly recommended for those who enjoy dark cinematic compositions, this should play especially well for fans of such acts as Raison D'etre.

Visit Hamre at https://www.karstenhamre.com.