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Silken Tofu's consistency is a great thing to see, and I'm sure a great thing for collectors as well because each of these mini CDRs look sharp and fit together nicely to form a great set. I know I enjoy listening to mine as a set, they've all been quite refreshing. The latest addition to the set is Sky Burial's IV: Of Dharma and Drowning 18 minute track of metallic drone ambience that falls in line well with the sounds previously released by Silken Tofu. Sky Burial opens the track with an reverberating synth drone, slowly undulating. The sound is a little lo-fi but it makes it feel a bit more organic which is I believe is what Mike is going for here. After a few minutes of exploring the sound, and making the bed in which we will lie for the remainder of the piece, there breaks in some much more metallic drones creaking and slithering through the space. These are added at just the right time. I almost forgot the mention the subtle low-end chanting that peaks in with the drones. The metallic drones shift and modulate kind of having dynamics similar to blown horns as well as being accentuated with mid-ranged atmospheric bells. There is no beat or rhythm here, it all remains very abstract with a lot of movement and focus. It is clear that the artist's sleight of hand is easily noticed by the listener. The sounds eventually ebb and flow, becoming more industrial and shiny at times, like scraped cymbals. Eventually the sounds become more sparse, clanking and echoing much like a strange blending of a tribal society and post industrial waste land. The track builds up nicely towards the end with noisier elements reaching a crescendo along with the rubbed metal sounds. Overall the track reminds of a mix between the higher-end ambience of Northaunt with the more ritualistic tendencies of Halo Manash. A very solid effort by M. Page and another excellent addition to the Silken Tofu catalog. Although it might have been nicer to hear a few more sounds, the editing and composition is pulled off with thought and intention and it really shows through here. Nice work. |