[reviewed by: Andrew Dns Dienes]
It is not a secret that the potential misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in modern warfare poses profound dangers to global security and stability. As AI technologies evolve, so do the risks that are associated with their exploitation for malicious purposes. One of the most pressing concerns is the development of autonomous weapons systems capable of independent decision-making, which could escalate conflicts and undermine efforts to mitigate the human cost of war.
In this significantly unstable period of human history, two talented musicians, Dovydas Vasiliauskas (Sole Massif) and Pavlo Storonsky (Tineidae), decide to reconsider the dangers of AI in the contemporary world through their new collaborative album “Remnants of War.” Both musicians have been notably active on the scene for the past ten years, releasing a considerable number of high-quality releases. However, a common denominator for both artists can rightfully be considered their approach to music composition, encapsulating a fusion of ambient, experimental, and electronic soundscapes, creating a truly immersive auditory journey.
What I appreciate about the physical format is that it allows one to fully experience the conceptual essence of the final product, and in our case, the album “Remnants of War” is no exception. It is hard to believe that digital music combined with digital graphics can offer the same aesthetical pleasure as a physical copy. At the very first glance at the printing and visual design, countless images of fragments of science fiction, which I was so passionate about in the distant eighties, come to mind – a time when the future seemed to leap off the pages of various sci-fi novels of Isaac Azimov, Phillip K. Dick, or else. I am almost certain that fans of “Blade Runner” themes will not be disappointed, as these two talented musicians have undoubtedly tapped into the futuristic, yet highly plausible atmosphere of the world that can become a hostage of the lunatics armed with a highly sophisticated weaponry based on a progressive AI technology.
The music which is offered by “Remnants of War” is being maintained in the same narrative style of storytelling, in which each track has its precise placement and a coherent flow throughout, represents an unbreakable composition, complete with its own characters and storyline, interweaving various plots and authorial sketches. The sound delves into the realms of downtempo electronics with a spacy, interstellar melancholy. The tracks like “Process Overhaul,” “Frontier Debris” or “Connection Re-Established” are atmospheric and light, projecting a sense of floating amidst gas clouds of an unexplored planet, yet even so they retain an air of certain unease and suspicion. But some tracks, as for example, “Data Stream Conjunction” and “Deca-6” are driven by more rhythmic electronic pulsations to implement more pace into the storyline, rendering the entire piece more diverse and diverging from the concept of a straight melodic construction which is based on a slow-paced ambience.
Another hallmark of this piece is its meticulous attention to the smallest details, which collectively form a cohesive whole. Lots of different samples, scratches and pulsations, well-considered incorporations of various electronic noises and interferences, crafted together with floating melodies and background perturbations, all these elements comprise what can be termed as an excellent cinematic album.
After the several labels, like Tympanik Audio, ceased their operations, many musicians and composers had to seek out new venues to popularize their art. It is heartening to see that some of them have found a new heaven in such an active label like Cryo Chamber, which provides a platform for talented fellas to express themselves and publishes their works with admirable diligence. As Tineidae and Sole Massif continue to evolve and explore new sonic territories, their recent collaboration stands as an example of creativity and experimentation, pushing the boundaries of electronic ambient music, crafting transcendent soundscapes that are both evocative and immersive, and captivating listeners with an expressive charm and enigmatic allure.
—
Tineidae & Sole Massif – Remnants of War
Cryo Chamber, CRYO238
CD/Digital 2024
Santa Sangre 