Various Artists
SMM: Opiate
Ghostly International
Street: 10.29.13
Opiate = Jasper, TX + Secret Pyramid + Earn
Anyone who is a fan of the powerful restraint of ambient-drone or minimal classical music should immediately perk up when reading the contributor’s list on this compilation. A Winged Victory for the Sullen, Noveller, Celer, Black Swan and Pjusk (plus many more) breathe life into their structured explorations of softened noise and white, foamy swells of feedback and elongated tones. Concentrated as this compilation is, there is a surprising amount of variety running through the curated contributors. Celer’s gathering storm of beautiful, glowing feedback is tempered by Noveller’s echoed, reverb-heavy guitar lines, while En’s minimal electronic exploration of silence and dissonance proves to be an unlikely but incredibly effective album centerpiece. This is an album perfect for late night studying or riding your bicycle home on a bright, crisp winter night. –Ryan Hall