Troum - Acouasme

Strange dreams I have had last night without a soundtrack to think about. Like that of one in a horror movie, it was a rather gritty, panicked sequence which involved myself being chased down like an innocent rabbit by a vicious monstrosity with a serrated grin. By what is unknown, and it is that fear of the unknown that drives mankind wild. This thing that was chasing me could have been innocent, could have been a friend, could have been trying to warn me of some immediate danger, but I chose to run nonetheless. In either case, in a slow motion like fashion, I hurried off as fast as I could, with the dream ending as I reached a bright light. Though, now that I have woken, now that my eyes no longer rest, I have begun listening to Troum's latest release, "Acouasme", and I don't think there is a more fitting album to play along with that dream in my head than this. 

Glit[S]ch and Baraka[H] are the two names behind Troum, and they have been active in the industrial and experimental scene since 1988, though not under the Troum name. It was from 1988 to 1996 that they found providence in the industrial/ambient group Maeror Tri. After their time in that band, they split from fellow member Helge S. Moune (who went on to record under the name Tausendschoen), and began making music under the name Troum. The name of the band is an Old Germanic term meaning "dream", and they chose the name to understand the want to look back at a passed time with the acceptance that they will never be able to return. 

And perhaps this is why their music comes out the way it does which, as I said, is like a soundtrack for a dream. Looking up the definition for "Acouasme" I came across the word "acouasm" - which is a letter short - but is defined as a nonverbal auditory hallucination, as a ringing or hissing according to dictionary.com. And, when you listen to the music present on the album, you'll understand exactly why this title fits perfectly. 

'Aliens Laughing About Us' starts us off on this slow journey through dark depths, and at first it does sound rather bland and like every other industrial/drone track on the market. I immediately thought, Please, not another one of these albums. But, my precognition was all for naught as slowly the track transformed itself into a breathtaking soundscape. As if swirling through the abyss without a place to go, like swimming in a pool of murky water with no end but you can breathe, 'Aliens Laughing About Us' has you think that something, somewhere is up above you with constant eyes staring at you. 

The second song and title track continues the same play as brought by the previous track, although this song is not as dense with atmosphere as the previous. It's a silent reckoning with ghosts haunting hallways. If you go down the stretch of barren floors with unexplored doorways, there's a chance a ghastly apparition might take your soul. 

'Omega Melancholicum' puts in a weird, almost discovery like synth on top of whispering winds. What message they bear is possibly nothing or actually a life saving encryption. 'Outer Brain Outsourcing' had one of my favorite sections on the album. As an overabundance of nose shrieks out from the nothingness, a pounding drum almost drowned by all the static around it rhythmically plucks away. It's almost tribal, gearing you for a ritual. What will be gained or - more important - what will be lost is that of a mystery. 

'Somnolenz' brings back a calmer tone, utilizing a low but high pitched squeal in the background and locating slight sounds of tapping throughout the song. A mysterious air still flits within the song. 'Signe du Miroir' comes in as the final track and is the only track to have a constant rhythm. Though it constantly loops, it is all the other sounds around that tribal like beat that brings the song to greatness. At nearly eighteen minutes, this is a song meant for meditation. 

At the end of "Acouasme", I can only walk away stating that I have experienced something that I do not fully understand as of yet. The tracks are all mythical beasts, focusing on abstract arts and visuals. Shutting my eyes once more, I find myself back in my dream from the previous evening, hoping to guide myself to find out who - or what - was trying to confront me this time around. 
Jan 21 2016