Darkspace
Dark Space I

I have often found myself listening to black metal and ambient mixed, alternating like two sides of a coin, but what happens when the space between the two sides is eliminated and we can see them both even while they remain united?

Darkspace, staying true to the traditional musical genius of their country (Switzerland), offer a definitive vision of what ambient black metal truly is. Besides Tobias Möckl (also known as Wroth), who plays in the project Paysage D'Hiver, only two other aliens are part of this project: Zorgh and Zhaaral. Two guitarists and a bassist surrounded by drum machines and synthesizers. The music is programmed, mathematical, and compelling. The first sensation is of something that immobilizes you almost lethally, entering inside violently yet slowly, the oxymoron that emerges are tracks with almost inhuman speed but which average 10 minutes in duration. The fact that this can even be realized live is only thanks to the drum machine, as no drummer could replicate the tempos. The riffs are so fast that you almost don't notice how sharp and damaging to the ear they are. The screams are affected but still powerful and exasperated, so much so that it's not surprising all three are vocalists. There are no lyrics, they are unretrievable and probably don't even exist, the music is obvious and directly comprehensible.

Rejection or adoration are the only possible feelings. They are the first to realize this and make the demo available from their website. Then, they produce 500 copies of this "Dark Space I" which could either fly off the shelves or remain in 450 in the record label's storerooms. The NON-limited reissue of this album in 2006 made clear the fate that befell Darkspace. No lyrics, therefore, and not even any titles, in fact, each track is named with its progressive number: "Dark 1.1","Dark 1.2","Dark 1.3". The apparent lack of imagination is justified in the music itself, which is flat, yet not repetitive, amorphous and necessarily dark and inaccessible. The themes are indeed directed towards space, the night sky, and the true darkness that composes it. In fact, the choice isn't shadow or antilight, it's space, emptiness that repeats everywhere. The sensation of being transported at extreme speeds through the nothingness that perpetuates over time renders the atmosphere produced in this album unique. Obviously, listening to one track at a time or in fragments loses its meaning.

The effect of a "Darkspace" album relies on suitable situations, ideal time moments. First, the effective volume is high, otherwise most of the music escapes. Second, the light must be absent during listening, any detail could distract from the listening. There must be absolute silence around, better if using headphones. Lying down or seated on a couch or armchair, no chairs. No interruptions, no skipping, or the effect is lost, which is perfectly calculated for an hour and a quarter of listening. Tried under these conditions, Darkspace gives the maximum possible experience. I speak for myself perhaps, but I share this vision with those who led me to know them deeply. Obtaining ambient music from distorted guitars and often present palm-muting is the main feature that distinguishes them. There isn't an instrument exactly in the background.

Trying first with the demo "Dark Space -1" may clarify if it is possible to be transported by dark and sweet violence so clear that one almost has to seek it out for how rarely it can be encountered. It can be annoying, but if it isn't then it is something indispensable when seeking the absolute bewilderment of every bodily sensation that slowly soothes while keeping the brain active.

There are 7 tracks, the music is one, the meaning is everything.