Maybe it’s cliché, but I always think of Erik K. Skodvin’s Svarte Greiner output as “winter music” or “night music.” What other way is there to describe the black drones and flitting peripheral shapes that branch through so much of it? The stark cold at the heart of his work is what made me raise an eyebrow when Miasmah announced they’re releasing a new Svarte Greiner album in April. It’s like by blessing me with some unholy, starlight ambience they are trying to curse my spring with a late frost. I guess I’ll just have to bundle up; I have Viking heritage so I can handle some lowered temperatures.
And Black Tie promises just that; moaning, chill winds whipping around the listener’s ears for two sides of extended synth drone. The twin pieces, entitled “Black Tie” and “White Noise” respectively, both originated as musical accompaniment to an installation by Norwegian artist Marit Følstad. Scoop up the album on April 26 to see if the pieces stand up without the accompanying art or instead just bring about fimbulvinter. Either would be acceptable but both would be ideal.
Black Tie tracklisting:
01. Black Tie
02. White Noise
• Svarte Greiner: http://www.deafcenter.net/sg
• Miasmah: http://www.miasmah.com