Mesketet — Towards a Bleak Sun

Here we are enveloped by, Ambient and Drone, created in a way that can mentally take us to another place, another time and another age.  Mesketet was founded in the Netherlands in the year 2013.  The creation of one Jornt Elzinga, it finds the listener been whisked away to a journey to the Netherworld.  From Mesketets’ own press release, “The name ‘Mesektet’ comes from one of the two boats which the Egyptian solar deity Ra travelled in: Mandjet was his ‘morning boat’, and Mesektet the ‘evening boat’. Ra used Mesektet as a boat to travel back to the Netherworld from a long day of shining. The deity’s travels were an inspiration for the essence and rich sound of “Towards a Bleak Sun”.”

Using the information above to analyze “Towards a Bleak Sun” we are positively embraced by a desolate and ancient aura on every track.  Six pieces total in all, finding tones and moods that expand from chilling to serene in atmosphere.  As we listen we are thrust into night in a long ago temple, the chill of the air surrounding us, the smell of murky water, the dimly light pathway and at the core is the uncertainty of our passage causing an excited anxiety.  Each sound brings nervous tension, yet there is a calm understanding and consciousness of coming closer to a greater journey.  In that journey though is the awesome awareness of complete aloneness and isolation.

It may only be 46 minutes long, but Mesketet delivers a carefully created soundtrack to that intimidating voyage.  For sure it’s not easy listening music, Mesketet seem to want to submerge us and hold us in this setting as long as they can.  As a very well thought out release of music, concept and artwork, it is entirely successful.  Mesketet is able to tie it all together quite snuggly, if one of the above traits were missing it would not have the same effect.  Lucky for us as much thought that was put into the music as the concept.