Background/Info: This album resulted from the common efforts of German ambient artist Mario Grönnert and American electronic composer Mason Metcalf. I already had the opportunity to discover work of Grönnert, but Commonsen5e was totally unknown to me.
Content: The work of both artists brings the listener into a total ambient sound dimension of dark atmospheres and mystery. It’s an obscure universe filled with many noise sources like field recordings and manipulated sounds. Both artists seem to like decomposing sounds creating sharp, industrial noises.
This icy, sonic creation has been joined with astral atmospheres reflecting certain prosperity and surprising, refined piano playing. You get the impression of hearing a piano lost in a dark and endless space. It creates a somewhat cinematographic feeling. The astral dimension of the work ends with a great apotheosis on the final track of the album.
+ + + : Grönnert wants to create a different kind of ambient music. Even if it rather sounds like a challenge I have to admit this album is not dealing with the stereotypical dark-ambient format. There’s a different approach, which is due to the impressive spectrum of sound treatments and noises. Some of these sounds are sharp like a razorblade and can’t leave you unmoved. The last cut “The World Rewinded” is a beautiful climax.
– – – : The sound formula is a bit repetitive and a few cuts can’t fully catch my attention.
Conclusion: “Nightmares And Dreamscapes: Silhouettes Of Urbia” is a mysterious voyage throughout imaginary and unknown parts of our imagination. This is the point where music becomes a paranormal phenomenon instigated by the writing skills of Mario Grönnert and Commonsen5e.
Best songs: “The World Rewinded”, “A Radiance”, “Breathing In The Ash”.