Among the most impressive artists on Nepenthacea's sampler was Translucence, Whisper Diminish, a newcomer contributing to the cassette with the forlorn "3:09." A full-length release was to follow shortly and Tharsis is now finally available. Described as being thematically based around the element of water, the CD brings 7 atmospheric, instrumental tracks, all simply titled by their duration. This release is the first in a series of four, each focusing on one of the elements. Translucence, Whisper Diminish consists of Brian Goodhue (Line/Collision Sect) and Elyzia David (Dreams of Abrasion).
[On a side note: the name Tharsis itself provides an interesting link between the elements. In 1972, geological mapping of Mars revealed an enormous lava plain, which was named Tharsis. It contains the largest known volcanoes in the solar system and it is speculated that the lava channels were formed by flowing water under different climatic conditions on the planet. Water manipulating earth and subsequently providing ways for fire to travel...]
The forlorn synths on Tharsis are produced with an almost liquid quality to them, quite fitting to the album's theme. The sensation of being submerged in water is conveyed through dense strings, echoing background textures and, on "5:41" for instance, hypnotizing electronic bass sequences.
The water isn't always soothing however, its majestic power lurking on more urgent tracks such as "5:16" and "4:02". And on "4:01" it sounds mystical almost, a mind of its own at depths beyond our reach. The water is graceful and proud on "5:32", playful and kind on "4:41", but always with superiority. Of course this is all open for individual interpretation, but if invoking these sensations was the intention of the composers then they were highly succesful. Translucence avoids the pitfalls of the dark ambient genre by bringing structure and subtle melody to its compositions, as opposed to simply spewing forth a random outburst of sound and noise (which might be someone else's cup of tea, but I feel that there's more talent behind a release such as this). The music is enjoyable at many levels, open for wide interpretation and challenging to the imagination, evoking emotion within purely synthetic compositions.
Releases such as this present the finer subtleties of individuality, on the absolute opposite side of the spectrum when compared to the commercially infested and mass hysteria invoking insult to music called mainstream. On Tharsis there is true exploration, providing music that lasts and does not suffer from repetition or copycat antics. It is these humble musicians that deserve our support the most, most importantly in the form of recognition. A label that barely charges more than production costs for their artists' releases can only have one agenda: bring the music out there, to mesmerize and inspire. Tharsis is the prime example of this, as well as Nepenthacea's finest release to date. If you have any interest in discovering this label's music, then by all means start with Translucence, Whisper Diminish.
