Now thankfully this doesn’t seem to have happened with the newly formed Polish label New Nihilism who look as if they are striving to let the post-industrial populous know of their existence and the fact that their second release (I believe) is the stunningly compelling dark ambient opus ‘Nil Desperandum’ (Latin for never despair) by the elusive Per Aspera (also Latin for ‘through difficulties’ and used in context of the phrase per aspera ad astra! ‘Through difficulties to the stars!’)

With little or no information given with regards to Per Aspera on the beautifully stylised oversized packaging of the CD aside from the sepia coloured mechanical/engine detail, you’re free to approach this release with no preconceived indications as to what your about to hear apart from a rough idea that some formations of industrial sound structures are going to be present. However it soon becomes evident that although there are small fractures of noise and more industrial sounds throughout ‘Nil Desperandum' the main formation of the album is based predominantly around delicate dark ambient soundscapes and the hypnotically stimulating aura they quickly produce.

Opening with the wonderfully captivating ‘Epitaphium’, Per Aspera quickly demonstrate their skill for constructing fine explorations of dark ambient compositions.  The utilisation of subtle symphonic instrumentations delicately move in and out of focus whilst adding another fragile layer of sound to the haunting atmosphere and intensity that emanates from these lush textural soundscapes.  With a certain delicacy in touch tiny fragments of sound are complexly interwoven together to create a patchwork kaleidoscope of aural fragments that flow seamlessly into one another and thus produce pieces that fit together perfectly.   

It’s a wonderful, yet almost simplistic introduction to the album but shows tremendous promise for the very outset that thankfully is echoed continually throughout the 47 minutes of the albums running time.

Each of the album’s 7 tracks is a rich tapestry of soundscapes that constantly evolve and grow, with shifts in direction and atmosphere being worked into each of the tracks formation with great care so it takes on a natural ebb and flow.  And because of this constant movement within each of the tracks it guarantees that they are never going to become reparative, boring and mundane.  Instead, they produce an atmosphere and presence that is engaging throughout the albums entirety.

Whist not having an overly obvious theme or context, particular attention needs to be brought to the albums mid section, ‘Crematorium’ and ‘Shkiyat Haolam’, which very subtlety and with great flare turns towards the atrocities of 9/11 as a source of reference, with the first track featuring an immensely well placed vocal sample of a female reporting of the horrors around her amidst a backdrop of lavish back drop dark ambient textures.  And the latter coming from the opposite side of things with samples and instrumentations coming from Arabic and Middle Eastern sources, which is delivered like a more politically sensitive Dead Can Dance instrumental track. It is beautiful and alluring with a serious content and subject matter that is thoughtfully interjected into the tracks structure.

The remainder of the album continues very much in the same vain with impressively composed and richly textured dark ambient soundscapes delivering an array of atmospheres, styles and ideas that keep the listener transfixed.  Whether it be harsher industrial type noises, dense and unsettling thick expanses of sounds, seductive symphonic passages or haunting religious chants ‘Nil Desperadum’ works brilliantly well in keeping the listener’s attentions as you’re guided through this hugely impressive release.

Whilst it’s ridiculously difficult to be overly innovative within the dark ambient genres, one of the skills a composer must demonstrate is the ability to keep the listener engaged whilst producing a sound that doesn’t show immediate comparisons to one or another artist from within this genre.  Thankfully Per Aspera does a fantastic job at both and has created a set of recordings that smack of originality whilst containing a myriad of well executed compositions, rich textural sounds and a wonderfully imaginative evolving plethora of atmospheres that flow from the album.  As a dark ambient release this is as good as it gets and sets an impressively high standard immediately, with a faultless album being produced from start to finish.

For those who relish in the shadowy undercurrent of rich dark ambient soundscapes ‘Nil Desperadum’ delivers a fabulous journey into this style of music  and is welcomed addition to the genre itself and as such is a near prefect introduction for a relatively unknown artist and a label which promises great things, if this is anything to go by.

www.newnihilism.com