Noma — Seething With Thunders

Music made from household appliances played through guitar pick-ups and embellished with synths, keyboards and organs; that where the basis of Noma starts.  From that eclectic base he is able to create emotions through music.

Seething With Thunders can be thought of as a composition in two parts.  The first would be Hershlag 1-3.  Each of these three pieces are constructed through drones.  The sounds go from light and hypnotic to sinister and dark.  This is accomplished with a deft hand that controls the subtle variations in pitch and tone of each sound.  Even the simple ability to manipulate volume slowly brings about an intense emotional quality.  The finished creation is full of lightness, delicateness and an understated darkness.

The second part is Glassics 1 and 2, which is interrupted by A dying Chemist 2.  Noma departs from the mesmerizing drones of Hershlag 1-3 and thrusts us into a world of glitch and noise.  Using bow and fingers on crystal glasses, strange effects are collaged together to produce sounds that are spinning in confusion.  Static, noise and a harsh metallic din make the pieces sound disconnected and unnerving. A Dying Chemist is a variation in sound as its high pitched tones are reminiscent of carousel music; the effect is dissonant in presentation and anxious in atmosphere.

While maybe not the most cohesive of works, it does present Noma as an artist who is unafraid of infusing different techniques into his music.  It all keeps within the “experimental” framework by blending noise, ambient and drone.  Though the music may seem harsh and confused at times there is a feeling of lightness and grace to each piece.