Terrascope Review

The numerous gloom spores scattered upon the wind by the berobed figure of Sunn O)))’s Stephen O’Malley continue to thrive and mutate. ‘Deep in the Ocean Sunk the Lamp of Light’ CD is the debut of Aethenor, his collaborative project with Daniel O’Sullivan of British ‘zeuhlists’ Guapo and Vincent de Roguin of the Geneva-based Shora, who I believe have recording links with Merzbow. Split into four distinct instrumental segments, the trio’s skill in the editing and mastering departments have resulted in a strangely shifting cinematic collage, at times mysterious, at others threatening in the extreme. The multiple keys, nocturnal electronics and ‘playing the room’ (the latter credit mirroring that found on the ‘Sights’ CD by Russell / Wehowsky on Corpus Hermeticum) make even the harshest of elements bend to their will. A message that’s perfectly encapsulated in ‘Part One’s combination of breakers captured rushing to the shoreline and clanking shipyard ambience which can surely see Aethenor justly installed as Poseidon’s sole representatives on terra firma. The album's also available in limited vinyl format. (Steve Pescott) (Phil adds: I recently bought a copy of the Aethenor album on vinyl, and I have to say Steve is if anything understating the sheer power and elegance of this record. The sounds pull you into their undercurrents and leave you feeling either elated or unsettled, depending on the state of your mind at the outset. The sleeve photo doesn't do the letterpress justice either. Top marks!)