Review: Post Scriptvm “Marginal Existence” CD

This is Post Scriptvm's second full-length, and the material was recorded back in 2002 - 2003. I believe around that same time period I heard one track from this project on a compilation, but based on this release I'm pretty stunned that I haven't heard the Post Scriptvm name get mentioned more often. Contained herein are eight tracks of solid dark ambient/death industrial that builds upon pieces of the two styles' common foundations, but manages to come off as something unique in its use of very subtle musical smatterings and a slightly more structured approach to its repetitious cohesion. So expect everything from lush synths and ethereal ambience to rumbling low-end loops, machinated rhythmic sounds and industrial textures, generally tasteful samples, searing distortion, etc. On occasion the use of samples can become mildly problematic or overused (the frequent pitch-shifting becomes very tiresome and breaks up otherwise well paced tracks such as "Cadaverine Deficiency", for example), but there's a lot of potential here that points to this project becoming a force to be reckoned with. The third track, "Isolation of Sores", immediately becomes thicker and harsher than the preceding pieces, breaking in right away with throbbing distortion and some distant percussive sounds with a strange sort of low, grinding squeal. Like most of these compositions the song remains very largely consistent throughout its duration, but the way things flow feels methodical and focused, so that's not a problem at all. "Etch" even hits 10 minutes and takes a more ominous road, with fluttering hums and drones and outlying textures reminiscent of flies hovering over filth, eventually bringing in pitch-shifted spoken samples that have a specific narrative quality - certainly making for one of the more disturbing outings of the disc. "Grey Rat in White Morgue" is another harsher piece, but it possesses a nice level of crude melody that adds a sinister atmosphere and makes for my personal favorite of the disc. "Crumbling Personae" is the only composition that I don't particularly care for, as its throbbing sounds and watery panning sort of clash with the aesthetics expressed elsewhere. The rhythmic feel is nice, but I don't really enjoy the effects or sounds through which it is achieved, and at more than six minutes this is also the only song that feels a little redundant (the latter half is definitely more effective than the former, though). The CD is beautifully packaged in a black envelope with a few cards inside (and one adhered to the cover). All of the imagery is done in a sepia toned black and white style and depicts high contrast photography of charred remains and burnt out buildings, with the disc itself attached to a card bearing some text about how animal byproducts can be processed into other materials. All of the printing is done on matte stock and the photography is fucking excellent. Overall it's an incredibly attractive package. The release is limited to 500 copies, so I imagine it will be available for a good amount of time, but I would suggest picking one up regardless, as sooner or later this material's gotta catch on out there. Nice work. With a bit more progression there's going to be some really strong output coming from this artist. "Grey Rat in White Morgue" is already excellent.