-Dreams Of Abrasion (CD-2003)- This new release compiles the ambient industrial noise experiments recorded by Dreams of Abrasion between 1994 and 2003. These brief 2- to 3-minute exploratory fragments of sound could almost be imagined as pieces of industrial dance songs lifted out of context, slowed down, with each layer drawn out and distilled to its most subconscious level. The title track gathers power and goes for the guts like a slower-paced Brighter Death Now, crackling, hissing, and grinding from the speakers, but most of the rest of the album could be described as more atmospheric and downcast. "Anxiety" is an eye-opener, picking up speed like an escapee from a madhouse, charged with grim drumming, baying noise, the clanking of chains and rustling of leaves. "Love Lost" has an encompassing, full, shifting sound, gradually opening into an abyss; "When Angels Cry" is deeply ethereal with echoing beats, signaling a distant and fading message. All these pieces show innovation, but their brevity and focus on a single theme or passage at a time beg to be incorporated into a longer composition that lets the listener follow its convolutions. (* * * ½) -Carolee Harrison (Gothic Beauty Magazine)

-Dreams Of Abrasion (CD-2003)- The Nepenthacea label has reissued one of its defining releases on CD. Droning ambience noisier power electronics paint an abysmal post-industrial wasteland, simultaneously mechanically cold and bleeding with pain. “Disengage (extended)” sounds like the inner workings in the deep bowels of an industrial factory in Hell. The synth notes in “Machine’s Song” and “When Angels Cry” resonate with beautiful, rapturous pain. Another highlight is the moaning, subdued brutal lament of “Love Lost”. The sparse, gritty percussion in “Love Lost” and “When Angels Cry” is a very nice touch. -Ryan Wynns (Ophelia's Tears radio show/From Dust 'zine)

-Dreams Of Abrasion (CDR-2000)- Dragging you along at a plodding pace, this surreal vision of scrapes and scratches takes a very bumpy path through seemingly harmless keyboard wash, but whacks you about so much with the echoing descent of percussion and frizzed-out voice, that it leaves lumps. The pain isn't so much from the sound itself, but from the pounding that it gives your poor brain. It's a bit creepy, very slow-paced, with a hint of altered states of conciousness. In other words, it's a bit of a nightmare. There is nothing fancy, but the effect is quite efficient. I'd understand if this dreary disc made you look over your shoulder once or twice. Loose-fitting night sweats sloptuned to tweak a nerve.
Like the dark side of New Age. -C.H. Coitus (Neo-Barbaric 'zine)

-Dreams Of Abrasion (Cassette-1998)- I was sent this cassette so that I could voice my opinion on it and so here it is. This cassette reminds me of my own early recordings when I was just learning the technical side of sound production. It is a bit muddled and raw but that often times can help a production rather than hurt it. Besides, why does everything have to be crystal clear anyhow? Any tape hiss on this recording only fuels the theme under which the material was created and that is the often times lonely, dark and confusing time known as adolescence. I really enjoyed listening to this cassette because although it isn't crystal clear it is honest and you can feel it and that's what I enjoy in listening to music. Of course that perception is based on each individuals taste but I found myself relating back to my own childhood feeling that repression, that lonliness and alienation from my piers and family and yet choking back the sadness of it all so that no one would see me cry over it. It's all here in this cassette and I commend E. David for his efforts in experimental and yet emotionally flooded soundscape work. I do look forward to hearing more of his work as both his talent and spirit evolve. -Jason Wallach (The Unquiet Void)

--Hear "Machines' Song" by Dreams of Abrasion--
--Go to the Dreams of Abrasion artist page - Return to Reviews--

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