Drone-acolyte Mathias Grassow joins up with Rüdiger Gleisberg as Nostalgia on their first offering Arcana Publicata Vilescunt. This is a vast departure from Grassow's previous meditative or electronic-tribal works. Those expecting music similar to Bliss, The Fragrance of Eternal Roses, or Arcanum may be disappointed. However, it's good to see both artists branching out and operating in styles unlike what we have heard from them before.

The mood of Arcana is overwhel mingly gothic. Not gothic in a Sisters of Mercy or Death in June way, but gothic in a medieval, dramatic tone. A tone that recalls forboding cathedrals and candlelit corridors. The lush, dark artwork by William Turner gracing the cover is more than appropriate for the sounds within.

Nostalgia offers an intoxicating blend of Grassow's rich drones, Gleisberg's symphonic synth, occasional drum programming, and haunting wordless vocals--live and sampled. In fact, these vocals are in part supplied by the ever-excellent Jim Cole, increasing the level of goth mysticism exponentially.

Arcana is a song oriented release--each track is stylistically similar, though the songs can be readily told apart. They all maintain a suitably intense flavor, which propels the CD along until the final near-ambient track titled, appropriately, "Katharsis." The second track, "Solanum Nigrum" is particularly potent, featuring neo-Berlin School sequencing.

For the most part, this CD seamlessly incorporates all of its elements together to form an alluring experience, rich with gothic nuance and shimmering sonic textures. It is equal parts pagan, tribal, modern, trance-inducing, and kinetic. I found some of the drum programming to be a bit obvious, as if presets were used, which sounded rather "canned." In my opinion, the "live" percussion supplied by Carsten Agthe is far more effective in propagating the rapturous mood. This is a minor quibble, as I feel the release is of a very high quality otherwise.

I'd recommend this disc to those who might like a little more activity with their electronic atmospheres, or perhaps a bit more drama in a darker vein. I, myself, prefer the hushed tones of Grassow's solo releases. Fans of Dead Can Dance, Love is Colder Than Death, and Stoa will find much to enjoy here. Well worth a listen.

On Release Records.

since July 15, 2003