Combative Alignment's first full-length CD release, "...And Outside Glows the Red Dawn", which is also my first exposure to the German project, comes to us from the fine folks at Malignant Records. The disc contains six relatively lengthy selections (titled simply "Part One" through "Part Six") running six to 10 minutes apiece and exploring just the brand of brooding dark ambient soundscapes that I enjoy: Occasional sparse percussive textures and expertly manipulated samples within a core of vast expanses of cascading midrange and low-end rumbles, while eerier tinges of melody lend light musical touches to the sinister atmospheres conjured within. There are a couple of slower moments later in the disc (the vocal manipulations in "Part Five" are a bit of distraction, for instance), but the tracks run together seamlessly and the 47-minute duration actually plays out very well—with some fairly relaxing moments considering the general tone. Within the rather minimal looking digipack are a few scattered English translations of excerpts from poems by German satirist Heinrich Heine, which I assume are suggestive of the inspiration for the material, but whatever the case this is a fluid listen that starts out strong:
Combative Alignment "Part One"
Since the label that released this puppy is also the home of the finest experimental noise distribution service in the US, grab it straight from them if it's your cup of tea:
Comments
i was never that into the whole death industrial thing (mostly due to lack of proper exposure), but this control shit kills! never thought it could be so evocative. thanks.
12.7.2005 | By chris
hey! i’m going through a rather industrial/noise/ambient period these last weeks, so this topic was just what I needed! I’m always on the look for such new shit, keep it cummin’!!! Why dont you present to the masses NOISEGATE one of these daze?
12.30.2005 | By Panos