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8/3/2019 Dark Consort
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Dark Consort is a predominantly instrumental work from
2008 released in the wake of Jarboes MahaKali album.
Dark Consorts ambient atmospherics explore uncharted
sonic dimensions to breathtaking effect. Encompassing
innovative yet accessible interpretations of traditional
structures as well as extreme experimentation, this music
transcends genre and sometimes even defies description.
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Cedric Victor, the composer of Lamentationwho contributes bass and atmospheres to
MahaKali, mixed and produced Dark Consort. Besides Mouth of Flames and the Kali
Lamentationcycle arranged by Cedric Victor, there is no musical correspondence with
MahaKali.
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The brief intro See Emptiness Directly is a blend of guitars, cymbals, drones and camera
effects with a spoken recital of the title, while this instrumental version of Mouth of Flamesis
soaked in ambience.
The three Kali Lamentations from the three editions of MahaKaliare further developed here
as Kali Lamentation IV, V and VI.
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Lamentation IV opens with a brooding blend of resonating gongs, guitar, bass, chimes and
tuning forks over slow drumbeats. After this solemn overture, one of Jarboes twisted voices
recites a description of castigation in hell by a list of sharp objects.
Lamentation V has a lengthy prelude of synths slowly wafting in over a pounding drumbeat.
The recital is about the mother of changes after which chimes and drones enter, followed by
vague hints of background vocals and finally a rousing wordless chant in sync with the beat.
Using mainly tuning forks, Lamentation VI is a reprise of V, as Jarboe experiments with the
normal vs whispered voice on the phrase light without heat. At first the whisper is an echo
then the normal voice becomes the echo, and so they alternate in this spoken duet.
A Sanskrit mantra by Diana Obscura opens Divine Protection which takes the listener on a
journey through a hellish realm of growls and other ominous noises. This is a truly sinister
broth, conjuring visions of a primal, volcanic earth or a demon-infested world. It is far more
disturbing than Not Noahs Ark on the albumAnhedoniac.
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The growling, rumbling and chirping of Divine Protection resume on Summoning Tigers in
Dark Eden in an oppressive ambiance, to a slow strumming beat. Waves of synth and aquatic
effects roll in, followed by the distant sound of choirs. Suddenly massed angelic voices
illuminate this domain of demons and predators. The execution is quite spectacular, bringing
to mind the compositions of St Hildegard of Bingen as the voices soar over the octaves. Soloand layered vocals engage in multiple modes to generate tonal atmospherics of a powerful
numinous quality.
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Opening with solitary echoing percussion, The Long March of Ghostsis dominated by piercing
trumpet blasts over melancholic keyboard lines and voice effects. The track gains a spacious
dimension when layered vocals enter at the halfway mark.
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Kevin Hufnagel who played on MahaKaliand collaborated with Jarboe on Visceracontributes
guitar on the brief interlude Black Dream I, another drone with a vocal undertone. The most
experimental piece, Black Dream II, dates back to the time before Jarboe joined Swans. This
bizarre recording seems to incorporate the cries of birds, insects and mammals, plus human
vocalizing and muffled samples.
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Representing an experimental atmospheric strain in Jarboes work, Dark Consort contains
much that is unique. Those who appreciate her solo albums likeAlchemic,Anhedoniac,
DaksinaKaliand Durgaor collaborations likeBlackmouth,J2, Visceraor The End, will here find
intoxicating currents from a dark well of inspiration.
https://www.amazon.com/Alchemic/dp/B00V1C9NFE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Alchemic/dp/B00V1C9NFE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Anhedoniac/dp/B000667GVO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Blackmouth/dp/B00X0UGGIC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Blackmouth/dp/B00X0UGGIC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Blackmouth/dp/B00X0UGGIC/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Anhedoniac/dp/B000667GVO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8https://www.amazon.com/Alchemic/dp/B00V1C9NFE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF88/3/2019 Dark Consort
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LINKS
www.discogs.com/Cedric-Victor-Jarboe-Dark-Consort/release/3987232
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-consort/1020123188
www.discogs.com/Jarboe-Pandoras-Box/release/1572747
www.allmusic.com/album/mahakali-mw0000797896
www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/4829
http://morganyevans.tumblr.com/post/11310800429/my-jarboe-mahakali-interview
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-consort/1020123188http://www.discogs.com/Jarboe-Pandoras-Box/release/1572747http://www.allmusic.com/album/mahakali-mw0000797896http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/4829http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/4829http://www.allmusic.com/album/mahakali-mw0000797896http://www.discogs.com/Jarboe-Pandoras-Box/release/1572747https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dark-consort/1020123188