ZÖJ is an Australian duo which I might describe as an ethno-ambient and world music band, combining acoustic instruments and traditional European folk styles with lush, modern production and cinematic flair.  They continue the legacy of groups like Dead Can Dance, with a more patient and deliberate energy.

Beginning with an eerie, reverberant metallic scrape sounding in a vast acoustic space, this recording begins as a subterranean dronescape, which after several minutes introduces us to warmth and human feeling with the poignant introduction of strings.  At this point the true dramatic scope of the album becomes apparent, a sort of folk inflected neo-classical ambient music with both dark and light hues.

The emotion of the string performance is haunting and passionate.  Initially, I thought it to be a cello, but according to the liner notes, this is a kamancheh, an instrument from Iran.  It has a deep and rich tone which I find to be absolutely spellbinding.

Soon after we are introduced to the other primary voice of the album, the powerful and pure voice of Gelareh Pour, whose power and clarity of tone recalls Lisa Gerrard (a massive compliment).  As I discover that Gelareh is responsible for both the string playing as well as the voice, I find myself amazed by her ability, and recognize her as the true mind behind this project.

Tracks like "My Empty Boat (Part 3)" demonstrate the sublety of the sound design, with a soothing murmur of filtered and muffled drums contrailing in slow motion behind Gelareh's hushed voice.

The other member of the duo, Brian O’Dwyer, is solely the drummer.  His playing is quite tasteful and dynamic, often employing brushes to execute very subtle swells in dynamics, with a constant yet shifting underpinning of fills and rolls.  He contributes greatly to the feeling of restrained momentum behind this recording, which is consistently engaging, almost tense at times, despite consisting primarily of string and vocal drones and ethereal melodic solos.

Here we have a lushed produced, emotionally intense ambient experience which would fit perfectly into a medieval history or fantasy film.  Instruments such as the kamancheh are used at a masterful skill level which reaches far beyond novelty and paints vivid emotional pictures. To find out more