Cryo Chamber's Newest Lovecraftian Label Collaboration is upon Us
Ends of our yearly cycles are steeped in tradition and ritual, old and new; time spent with family, friends, revelry and reflection, and for seven years, the Cryo Chamber label has released a collaborative Lovecraftian concept album near year’s end. This year marks the eighth release, Dagon, a conceptual collaboration highlighting one of the most recognizable figures in the Lovecraft mythos, as well as other, real-world historical cultures. These albums are always a treat, as they are presented in unbroken, hour-long tracks wherein a Who’s Who of Cryo Chamber alumni contribute and collaborate to weave conceptual music soundscapes and ambience in homage to the Lovecraftian theme of the year.
I mentioned a Who’s Who all-star cast of artists, and with contributions from the following artists, you will understand why:
Tineidae
Shrine
Dead Melodies
Darkrad
Northumbria
Dronny Darko
ProtoU
Council of Nine
RNGMNN
Wordclock
Randal Collier-Ford
Neiszvestija
Phonothek
Atrium Carceri
Alphaxone
Apocryphos
Gydja
God Body Disconnect
Flowers for Bodysnatchers
Beyond the Ghost
In Quantum
Even my favorite dark ambient project, Atrium Carceri, has skulked from the shadows to join the ranks of this group of ambient powerhouses! For those who follow the releases from Cryo Chamber, you will recognize many artists whose releases have graced these review articles, and you will also see welcome additions to the roster.
Dagon begins exactly as it should: the subtle roar of ocean waves undulating, lapping at imposing rocks and possible ancient, antediluvian structures obscured by moss and lichen, weather-worn and hewn by the incessant pummeling of the water. Ominous howls of synth horns and drones begin their call from above gaping pits adorned with ceremonial “eyes”, many of which are certainly ringed with worshippers proclaiming their tenets of faith according to their Esoteric Orders. As I referred above, there are no definite breaks or interruptions to the flow of this album. The parts and contributions from the artists weave in and among each other to produce an awe-inspiring, aquatic atmosphere of subdued texture and sound design, and all this being delivered in two tracks, both having a runtime of nearly 60 minutes each. Much the same as its predecessor (and possibly the most popular collaborative release, Cthulhu), Dagon comes packaged in a digibook package with evocative narrative into the Dagon story; oblique and obtuse, as fans would expect.
This is one of my favorites in the Cryo Chamber Lovecraft series, and fans of the mythos, dark ambient, or any of the Cryo Chamber artists involved will certainly want to dive into this album. Dagon is available in CD digibook and digital format on December 28, 2021 on the Cryo Chamber Bandcamp page. You can also purchase the 16 CD Lovecraft Bundle, as well. That is nearly 32 hours of sound design evoking and inspired by the Lovecraftian mythos.
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