The Waking Cold – Doorways Of A Fading Heart
Audio Savant – 2005
By Russell Garwood
”This release is a highly inspired and breathtaking combination of twisted symphonic passages and bursts of noise. Lifting keyboard melodies alongside samples invoke a sense of melancholy…”
So the press release for Doorways Of A Fading Heart reads, and Audio Savant couldn’t have been more accurate with either their description, or their praise. The Waking Cold is a project of Agalloch drummer Chris Green; this debut release is the result of years of solitary experimentation. Six soundscapes grace the CDr, all dripping ambient textures, rhythmic, mechanical murmurings and wistful synths, hidden under layers of white noise. Samples are well placed and effective. The noise ebbs and flows, bass drones and higher pitched humming are juxtaposed by sporadic Gregorian-inspired chants, and ever-changing atmospheres envelop you. The mood is at times dark, at others uplifting, and often melancholic; the sheer amount of emotion conveyed through such carefully constructed minimalism is immense. Everything is understated; transitions are subtle, the noise is refrained, just occasionally taking a more prominent role. The ambience created is colossal, yet not overpowering.
Doorways Of A Fading Heart is sublime; there is a perfect balance between noise and melody, rigid structure and fluid progression, distinct rhythm and gentle, blurred tones. This release is limited to 100 copies, and comes very highly recommended. Beautiful.
9/10
Official Audio Savant website
Audio Savant – 2005
By Russell Garwood
”This release is a highly inspired and breathtaking combination of twisted symphonic passages and bursts of noise. Lifting keyboard melodies alongside samples invoke a sense of melancholy…”
So the press release for Doorways Of A Fading Heart reads, and Audio Savant couldn’t have been more accurate with either their description, or their praise. The Waking Cold is a project of Agalloch drummer Chris Green; this debut release is the result of years of solitary experimentation. Six soundscapes grace the CDr, all dripping ambient textures, rhythmic, mechanical murmurings and wistful synths, hidden under layers of white noise. Samples are well placed and effective. The noise ebbs and flows, bass drones and higher pitched humming are juxtaposed by sporadic Gregorian-inspired chants, and ever-changing atmospheres envelop you. The mood is at times dark, at others uplifting, and often melancholic; the sheer amount of emotion conveyed through such carefully constructed minimalism is immense. Everything is understated; transitions are subtle, the noise is refrained, just occasionally taking a more prominent role. The ambience created is colossal, yet not overpowering.
Doorways Of A Fading Heart is sublime; there is a perfect balance between noise and melody, rigid structure and fluid progression, distinct rhythm and gentle, blurred tones. This release is limited to 100 copies, and comes very highly recommended. Beautiful.
9/10
Official Audio Savant website
