Aegri Somnia - Monde Obscure

Croatian act Aegri Somnia has signed with Cryo Chamber, and, as such, has released their field recording heavy, dark ambient album "Monde Obscure" through them. While much information about this project is not available, the music itself can speak volumes about the artist and their talent. 

'Naissance', the starting song of the album, did have me worried, however. As footsteps approach and some breathing, seemingly through some sort of mask or filter, is heard, this rang a bell in my head. And once that bell rang it said, 'Haven't you heard this before?' However, as the song went on and the experimental vibe of it played on, I found myself enjoying the track a bit more. Sure, it definitely did tread in territory I am well aware and familiar of, but it was the way the samples were placed and the dark electronic music was layered that made me enjoy the work within the song. Again, it's not the best, but it definitely showed off skill and talent. 

However, my feelings remained the same revolving the rest of the songs on the album. A lot of them visited and felt up territory that's been previously explored, but in such a precise and lovely manner that it flirted with a new age approach. Every song from the deep pitched, static ridden 'Esoterique', to 'Faux Prophete''s slight itchy, IDM like effects, and even 'Portal I''s whisper filled, demonic sounding rants in a foreign tone were wonderfully well done, but also didn't really manage to break new ground. 

That being said, I repeat my praise in saying that Aegri Somnia is a skilled producer and can crank out wonderful dark ambient music at his own whim. That being said, unlike other artists on the Cryo Chamber artists, he has yet to fully realize his own potential and bring out something invigorating and new. Once he hits that mark, however, I assure that he'll be able to turn out a masterwork dark ambient album that will both resonate and appeal to fans of the genre. 
May 12 2015