Noise Cluster, Cristiano Bocci -
To the Moon and Back
This third time we get to review the Italian ambient-industrial act called Noise Cluster, they have teamed up with Christiano Bocci. A fellow who I do not know, but according to Discogs has been busy with various electronic acts, which I could check out later. This latest album has been released on the German label Grubenwehr Freiburg.
The cassette album has been released in 3 different versions. One version comes in a blue jute bag, the other in a brown jute bag... both of these versions come with a moonstone inside the bag. And then you have the normal cassette version.
Concept and theme for the album?... Well, I guess it has something to do with the moon. The isn't much available information regarding the concept, but I guess the recorded material inside will provide us with just that. 8 tracks, 40 minutes in total.
We start on the A-side with the first track called Chariot Across the Skies. The track sucks you in with a dimensional sucker sound, transporting you instantly to the moon. Ceremoniously drums, evocative melodic drones, doom´ish and distorted guitar moods with some really good angelic and ritualistic female vocals in there as well. Quite breathtaking, giving the listener a feeling of being afraid of heights... or just that epic big feeling that makes one feel small kind of.
The second track is called Endymion and Selene. A lovely analog ambient synth, and the sound of the scratching strings from a reverbed violin. Lots of layers in the highly atmospheric soundscape. Everything is floating here, so yes!... We are in space as we speak! Endymion and Selene is a story from Greek mythology. About a shepherd whom the goddess of the moon Selene falls in love with him. She visited him every night while he slept, and ended up making 50 children! Another story says that Selene put Endymion to sleep, so she could enjoy his beauty undisturbed.
The third track Eterna sfera Celesta. Female vocals doing more spoken-word passages, with an excellent-sounding trumpet as well. Trippy electronic rhythms thumbs like a slow-going heartbeat. Kind of a full-moon vibe on this one, night-time and without the clouds. Lots of height and space!
The fourth track Kathaireseis (Lunar Eclipse). Insect-like glitch sound, sounds of 1000 mourning angels, sound of a storm brewing?... the sort of storm you´ll expect when the weather is...well really moist and tropical. Again, I really like how the trumpet fits into the mix here. Incredible sound, almost fluid-like... like diving into incredible depths of pure sound. But yeah, the track certainly captures the mood of seeing a lunar eclipse for sure!
The fifth track Non Guardo La Luna offers sacred gongs from some secret temple, with some really terrifying haunting vocals. A track with a more complex and abstract nature/feel. Certain kind of being in a cult feeling here.
The sixth track Secret Moonlading, gets back to that old Berlin-school sound. The hitting on reverbed strings, the sound of something running a knife through metallic grills, flickering electronics... and the sound of thrust from a landing spacecraft. Incredible beautiful track. Strangely horrific and fascinating at the same time.
The last two tracks are also worthwhile. Still holding the sound aesthetic strong, while being totally transfixed on the mood and the mysteries which surround it to this day.
To the Moon and Back actually works like a spacecraft from mythical times. The traveling to it, being on it, traveling away from it, and then admiring it from a distance on planet Earth. Everything is well thought out and sounds well-crafted. Well suited between ethereal-ambient and Berlin-school. It does require a certain kind of mood. Best in the nighttime, when the moon is up offcourse.
Bandcamp (label):
Official website (band):