Marcus Fjellstrom - Schattenspieler

Our review
Customer reviews
Press release

4...according to our Brett on Thu 16 Sep, 2010.

This fella's a mystery to me but Miasmah's certainly one of the more reliable labels around so it's with confidence that I place it on the platter. OK, so first impressions are that this is a classy hybrid of modern ambient techniques, electronic experimentation, field recordings and neo-classical composition. In some respects it's a little bit reminiscent of some of Type's recent output or Leyland Kirby's epic in the way that much of the melody that's to be heard is orchestral and skillfully obscured by static and low-level noise, creating an effect that's incredibly rich with mystery and suggestion but that's only really the start of the story with the synths, electronic textures and found sounds perfectly augmenting the tense, claustrophobic atmosphere which has me thinking of the darkest moments of 'Eraserhead' or 'Lost Highway'. There's definitely huge depth here and I can see it taking many listens to fully come to grips with but even first time around it's a totally rewarding experience.

‘Schattenspieler’ (which translates as ‘Shadowplayer’) takes the form of eleven compositions which explore ambience and melody, texture and silence. Haunting synth and orchestral instrument-based audio constructions, flowing from one moment to the next – the fleeting ghosts of Fjellström’s melodies rise, only to be buried under a claustrophobic clutter of percussion and creaking background noise. These pieces do indeed feel like you’re listening to something more implied than obviously stated, as if Fjellström wants only to expose us to the shadow of the music – the implication being perhaps a more terrifying experience than to be confronted outright…listen to ‘Schattenspieler’ and you may find your mind starts to play tricks on you…The undeniably Angelo Badalamenti-esque descending synth strings of opening track ‘The Disjointed’, lay the foundations for Fjellström’s ‘Schattenspieler’ album; music resting somewhere between the unsettling horror soundtracks of Jerry Goldsmith, the elevating melodies of Cliff Martinez, and the subtle audio constructions of Miasmah label mates Kreng and Jacaszek. Marcus’ wide ranging abilities in composition and his willingness to let go of accepted form and function makes ‘Schattenspieler’ a perfect choice of release for the Miasmah label. The suspense laden ‘Antichrist Architechture Management’, with its harrowing and tense undertones, weaving synth lines and a wash of static hiss and flicker, is a particular standout track. Despite its strangely oppressive sound, shafts of light grace ‘Schattenspieler’; pieces such as ‘Untitled 090616’ find gorgeous melodies are boxed in by unsettling arrangements and sparse background ambience. There is a coldness to many of these compositions – not without emotion, but somehow remorseless. ‘Schattenspieler’ is, for the main part, a defiantly bleak journey.

Tracklisting:

1   The Disjointed
2   Bis Einer Weint
3   Antichrist Architect Management
4   Untitled 090616
5   Tremolous
6   Monolith & Bunker
7   Noir Revisited
8   Perspex
9   Liquid Fire
10 Uncanny Valleys

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