The Winterhouse – Slow Awakening

The Winterhouse "Slow Awakening" CDr

Anthony Paul Kerby (APK), the sole creator behind The Circular Ruins, Nunc Stans, Lammergeyer and most recently also Fictions And Poetics, and Robert Davies are the leading sound architects and unmistakable stalwarts on the roster of DataObscura, a Southern Ontario, Canada, based label. As The Winterhouse they have recorded since 2007. "Slow Awakening" is their sixth chapter, released July 15th, 2015 in DataObscura's usual slim poly case packaging concept with a full wrap-around insert, printed on both sides, with a spine.

The 13-plus minutes long "Following The Path" unfolds with ultra monochromatic stratum serenely counterpointed with abundant biotic field recordings and hissy blankets. Additional balmy meandering layers and remote urban voices sneak in along with enigmatically echoed and gossamer tinkling subtleties. Magically immersing quietudes are fully blooming in utterly enrapturing symmetry between the two creative forces behind The Winterhouse. This awesome piece culminates with expressive bowed strings-infused epilogue. Bravo, gentlemen!!! "The Lake Isle" clocks to 10 minutes and is again richly detailed on the background, while the multi-dimensional drone scenario tranquilly undulates. Subtle high-tech fragments permeate as well, but warmer, sweeping panoramas sustain on the foreground, merged with ephemeral nostalgic piano glimpses. Masterfully displaying, I believe, Robert Davies' panoptic droning expanses and APK's flamboyantly ear-tickling embellishments. Another strong one!!! Only slightly longer than its predecessor, the title composition "Slow Awakening" delves deeply into quiescently droning sceneries, which are commingled with nocturnally-charged musings and gently crescendoing poetic sinuousness. Mildly spiraling dissonant mindscapes join the spectacle as well. Towards the end evanescing through subterranean rumbling paths. "We Don't Know", at 14:26 the longest track on "Slow Awakening", opens with cyber-tech pulsing patterns, persistent forest calls, oracularly futuristic groans and whispers. This already exuberantly spiced texture is reinforced by intangibly lyrical piano traceries. On the top of that occasional, insistently high-pitched plateaus invade as well. A bizarrely sculpted venture indeed!!! The closing composition "Nocturnal Memories" is announced by rather rawer sibilating and humming drones bridged with evocative shoreline vistas. Titillating environmental filigrees soon steal the center stage along with ambiguously hypogeous gurgles and impalpably unathomable voices illuminate this thrillingly adventurous odyssey. A truly peaking finale awaits here, so grab your headphones now and enter these fascinatingly fragranced sonic realms!!!

At one hour "Slow Awakening" is certainly another big one from The Winterhouse duo. A top notch merging of creative insignias of two highly crafted sonic architects, who constantly prove their exceptionally accomplished artistries. "Slow Awakening" is another hallmark recording with many rewards, so don't hesitate to join this utterly transporting journey!!! It's quite obvious, Anthony Paul Kerby's and Robert Davies' most recent collaborative soundcarving gets my highest recommendation, just the same as with all their previous synergic efforts. And as usual, both artists keep busy with their newest solo projects, APK's Nunc Stans "Elementa" CDr is out since February 2016, while Robert Davies has released his latest "River's Edge" album only three weeks ago. All available via APK's DataObscura, so go out and explore these hidden gems!!!

Richard Gürtler (Apr 02, 2016, Bratislava, Slovakia)

Stunning material from ambient maestro's Davies and Kerby another great ambient discovery.a gem