Here are the dark ambient albums that we at This is Darkness have been listening to recently – some are new releases, but a few are older gems we’ve just (re)discovered.
Please check these out by clicking on the Bandcamp link next to each review, and please consider supporting the featured artists.
Enjoy!
If you have a Bandcamp release you’d like to be considered for inclusion as one of our picks of the month , please email [email protected]. Bandcamp download codes for albums to be reviewed are always very welcome, but are not essential.
Void Stasis – Specimen 7
New on the ever incredible Cryo Chamber label is this impressive release from Void Stasis – an album of immersive dark ambient featuring atmospheric soundscapes and a beautifully dark industrial vibe that runs right through it. I’ve had this on repeat play since I first got my hands on this, and I will be listening to this for a long time coming. Fantastic!
Mark Hjorthoy – The Static Between Heartbeats
The Zero K label continues to release albums of the highest quality, and The Static Between Heartbeats by Mark Hjorthoy is no exception. Sublime electronic ambient merges seamlessly with field recordings and wonderful synth work to produce an audio experience that is quite simply stunning. Fans of electronic ambient, early Tangerine Dream, and pulsing electronic rhythms will absolutely love this. Incredible!
iL Paura – il Mondo è Del Diavolo
il Mondo è Del Diavolo is the “debut invocation of Horror influenced dark ambient soundscapes” from Brisbane based iL Paura, and is one of those albums that keeps drawing you back for listen after listen. Inspired by Michele Soavi’s 1989 Italian supernatural horror film ‘La Chiesa’ (The Church), this is an album of deliciously haunting dark ambient / drone that – as suggested in the album notes – deserves to “… be listened to on headphones in the dark, at loud volumes …” Stunning!
The Breedling – A Straunge And Terrible Wunder
East Anglian musician The Breeding describes their music as “Fendustrial folklore”, which is wonderfully apt, because A Straunge And Terrible Wunder blends cinematic dark ambient, drone and field recordings with industrial elements together to create something very special. Inspired by the folklore of the giant hellhound Black Shuck, the music is eerie, otherworldly, and steeped in gloomy historical atmosphere and mood. Very highly recommended for those who like atmospheric, horror inspired dark ambient. Wonderful!
SPIRIT RADIO – BILL SEAMAN RECONSTRUCTS SPIRIT RADIO
Now this is very very cool! SPIRIT RADIO (Stephen Spera and Tamalyn Miller) released Distract’d by a Kaleidoscope Salesman back in 2024, and Bill Seaman (long time collaborator and renowned composer) has reconstructed the songs using his techniques of recombinant poetics. The end result is a breath-taking re-imaging of a wonderful album – one that, like the original, carries you through its swirling, evolving multi-layered sonic soundscape. Awesome!
Toxic Chicken – Time Traveller
Time Traveller, the latest release from Toxic Chicken is a delightful album of chilled out experimental electronic ambient. Featuring gentle electronic soundscapes, gorgeous handpan playing, and “… the worn tones of a dusty piano and the rhythmic clatter of kitchen utensils …“, it all comes together perfectly to create an audio experience that is as exhilarating as it is relaxing. Lovely!
Lawrence English – The Rest Is My Ghost
New from Lawrence English is The Rest Is My Ghost, an impressive album of electronic ambient / drone, featuring soothing soundscapes and a sense of melancholy and underlying uncertainty. The album notes contain a detailed explanation of the politically weaponised use of nostalgia, which provides context for the music and adds an extra layer of meaning and feeling to the audio experience – I won’t try and summarise them here, but they are well worth a read. Magnificent!
Greg Alonso – Red Horizon
New from Greg Alonso is Red Horizon, a fantastic cinematic dark ambient album that takes “… a deep dive into the isolation of two astronauts, severed from their expedition squadron on a hostile, unforgiving exoplanet… “. It’s beautifully done, with dark ambient and drones combining with soaring soundscapes to create an immersive audio experience that is jaw-droppingly good. Highly recommended for fans of electronic / sci-fi ambient. Astounding!
TeHÔM – Lacrimae Mundi Remixed
Dark Odyssey Records never fails to deliver, and Lacrimae Mundi Remixed by TeHÔM is no exception. Nine different artists each provide a reinterpretation of a track from the landmark album, Lacrimae Mundi. Each track is stunning in its own right, and offers something different – all 9 pieces having their own sonic signature, but all retain the essence of the original ritual ambient release. Very highly recommended for fans of ritual ambient. Sensational!
Akoustik Timbre Frekuency – IJACEEBO
IJACEEBO is the first new Akoustik Timbre Frekuency release since 2023, so I as delighted when I got my hands on this! The music here is down tempo ritual ambient – with haunting dark ambient soundscapes, slow evolving drones, and intriguing and disturbing field recordings, all working beautifully together to create an album that is a genuine masterpiece. Fans of ritual ambient will absolutely love this, but this is recommended for all fans of dark ambient. Marvelous!
MNEMOS – Terra Nullius
MNEMOS is a Polish electronic music duo formed in 2023, and their latest release Terra Nullius is an impressive album of hypnotic electronic ambient / coldwave, featuring some incredible synth work. The music here is incredibly atmospheric, and fans of sci-fi soundscapes and electronic ambient will adore this. On the strength of this album, I will be watching MNEMOS do next with real interest. Remarkable!
NorthSouthSea – VISUALSNOW
New from St. Louis based NorthSouthSea is VISUALSNOW, a delightful album of experimental ambient / drone / post-rock that is haunting and uplifting in equal measure. It’s impossible to pigeon-hole the music here – and that’s testament to the originality and skill of its creator. This is one of those remarkable albums with multi-layered textures that provides a different listening experience with each and every play. Very highly recommended for fans of experimental electronic ambient and music that isn’t afraid to try something a little different. Brilliant!
Latest Fad – Radio Free Money
Radio Free Money is the latest release from Latest Fad (Paul Uusitalo and Dan Wilk), and what an impressive release it is! Utilising antiquated synthesizers, modern workstations, analogue effects devices, and stringed instruments, they have created an album of experimental electronic ambient that is as relaxing to listen to as it is disturbing. In these days of pap-for-the-masses disposable music, it’s great that there are still people out there willing to try something new and to create real heartfelt music. Splendid!
Jashiin – Two Scenes from Beyoğlu
New from Istanbul based composer Jashiin is Two Scenes from Beyoğlu, an album that provides an audio exploration of Beyoğlu – a district and municipality of Istanbul. ‘Beyoğlu Side A‘ is a dark, disturbing drone track, and ‘Beyoğlu Side B‘ is a more cheery electronic ambient track. The contrast between the two mirrors the two sides of Beyoğlu: the old streets and the local residents, versus the gentrification of bland shops catering to hordes of tourists. This is one of those beautiful albums that you can lose yourself in for hours and is highly recommended. Stunning!
Harrogat – Eleven
The latest release on the Italian Lake Label is this mouth-wateringly dark album of dark ambient / drone. Featuring deep drones, multi-layered textures, and slow moving drones and dark ambient soundscapes, this is an album that should be savoured like a good wine. I’ve been listening to this repeatably since I first got my hands on it, finding myself drawn back to its dark and eerie depths time after time. Recommended for any fans of dark ambient. Fabulous!
Various Artists – Overlook. Music inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining
I’m a huge fan of the Unexplained Sounds Group label, and their latest release – Overlook. Music inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining – is an absolute cracker! With 12 tracks by 12 artists, each providing their own audio exploration of the film, this is an album that provides a wonderfully broad musical spectrum (including dark ambient, experimental electronic, Berlin school, hauntology, drone, and contemporary classical) yet shares a single vibe and work together to create an alternative soundtrack that is simply stunning. Excellent!
The Mute – Oscillating the Void
New from Greek label, FYC Records, is Oscillating the Void by composer / sound designer The Mute (Nick Chalntoupis). With soaring synths, hypnotic glitch rhythms, and slow unfolding drones, this is an album with a delightfully dark palette – but that manages to be as uplifting as it is melancholic. This is one of those albums that is perfect for listening to on headphones as you lie on the sofa in a darkened room, letting the sounds take you on a journey of self reflection. Terrific!
Substak – Overpressure Zone
Regular readers will know by now that I am a big fan of Substak, so I’m always delighted when there is a new release to review! Overpressure Zone is described as “Grim industrial drone… delivered in two pieces of discordant navigation reflecting a state of mental collapse…” which is the perfect summary for the two tracks here. This isn’t easy listening (which, given the subject matter, is as it should be), but it’s brilliantly done and fans of drone / industrial drone will love this. Fantastic!
Brotherhood of Sleep – Beyond the Nuummite Cosmos
Beyond the Nuummite Cosmos is the impressive debut album from Brotherhood of Sleep – featuring six tracks / over an hour of atmospheric ritual dark ambient of the highest quality. This is beautifully done, with each track of dark, eerie, ritual ambient music offering something different for the listener to experience and explore. I can’t wait to see what Brotherhood of Sleep does next! Outstanding!
Chromascope – Hymns To Condemnation And Isolation
New from North Carolina based musician Chromascope is 7 track album Hymns To Condemnation And Isolation – a gorgeous mix of dark, despairing, disturbing dark ambient, and lighter, brighter, positive ambient soundscapes. It’s all incredibly well done, and I’ve had this on repeat play since I first got my hands on it – losing myself in its depths again and again. Highly recommended for any fans of dark ambient. Amazing!
Also Steve Bates – An Infinite Antenna
An Infinite Antenna is Montréal-based sound artist Also Steve Bates‘s second solo album for the Constellation label, with music that is more experimental and ambient than his 2022 release. Featuring synth work, deconstructed drum machine sounds, electric guitar, electronic glitches, and intriguing source and field recordings this is an album that takes the listener on a rewarding audio journey through a range of sounds, moods, and textures. Highly recommended for those looking for something different from the norm, with multi-layered textures and sounds. Incredible!
