Vidna Obmana — Twilight Of Perception Redux Volume One 1990-1998

Twilight Of Perception Redux Volume One 1990-1998 is the first in a series of planned CD compilations from Poland’s Zoharum. Looking at rare, unreleased, etc recordings from euro ambient pioneer Vidna Obmana aka Belgium's Dirk Serries.  The three-CD set takes in twenty three tracks- with as you’d expect from such a collection variation in both the tone/ atmosphere of the tracks.

The three-CD set comes in a eight-panel digipak- this features an effective blend of dark blue texts underlaid by what looks like close-up monochrome photos of tree bark. So as with all of the growing catalogue of Vidna Obmana  reissues on  Zoharum, we a get a nicely moody/ lightly arty look- which fits the music inside well.

Seemingly the compilation isn't set in a chronological manner- though we do get original release credits for each of the tracks featured. So, on disc one, we find eight tracks. These move from the slowly weaving tone glow meets lightly angular chiming’s of “Awaken In Floating Colours – Composition 2 “. Onto the gently harmonic warmings and lightly warbling drift of “The Circulating Flight”. Though to the spaced-slightly clunky piano key notation and moody pitch swirling’s of  “Awaken In Floating Colours – Composition 5 (ending)”.

Disc two features nine tracks. We move from gently warbling, circling, and rising ambience of “Twilight Came”. Onto eerily baying “Torch Of Remembrance” with its mix of distant brood and light horn like hissing tones. Though to the slurred and forlorn string like ebb & low key ritual ambience unease of “Flat Earth”.

Finally on disc three we find six tracks. These open with the steady string like simmer meets suck in amber nostalgic synth tone dwell of  “Deep Within”. There’s the distant hissing chatter ‘n’ knock, gliding glow, and faint female choral voices of “Approaching The Glaze”. Or “Transcending Shadow And The Nocturnal Air” with it’s dense-yet- soothing mix of cascading upwards tone, warming tone shift, and distant harmonic glint.

It’s always great to see new Vidna Obmana reissues on Zoharum. And with this release there are many new- to-me/ unheard tracks to enjoy. Here’s looking forward to the next in this series.