
Evan Batholomew - Secrets entries into Darkness [Somnia - 2008]Secrets entries into Darkness is an highly atmospheric journey into ambience, edgy electronica led beat-scaping and cinematic unfolds. Like the best and most fulfilling ambient albums this works at it’s best and most effective as one long trip into shifting atmospheric, dramatic and hypnotic sonics. Though split into seven tracks with each standing nicely on their own Bartholomew has clearly meant this as a long excision into sound. With the album building from the opening title tracks slowly shifting and splitting often ominous ambient tones, to the edgy and paranoid beats ‘n’ dark harmonics of cracks in the fabric of the know. And later to the building banks of haunted and dense choir like synth harmonics of Light reflecting black in the shadow that feels like your been slowly enveloped in a strange throbbing darkness- that both unnevering and beautiful. Special Mention must be made to the distinctive packaging too- it’s a black card stitched folder that’s wax sealed on the back. An involving & varied ambient journey which while is not the most original takes on ambience I’ve heard, it does unfold in a well paced and dramatic manner and will surely appeal to those who like their ambience shifting and varied.      Roger Batty
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