Lustmord is the work of Brian Williams who used to be a member of SPK, one of my favourite industrial bands from the 80s. This was the first of his albums that I bought was the introduction to a whole new world for me of dark ambient. Up until then with people Iike Eno and others, ambient music had been predominantly melodic, harmonious and designed to create a relaxing atmosphere. The 90s was also the era of "New Age" music, a description that to me means bland, cheesy and unchallenging music, designed for aromatherapy sessions.
Lustmord changed all of that and, as I was to discover, his previous album "Heretic" is generally thought of as the birth place of "dark ambient" which went on to become an entire genre of its own. Mr Williams doesn't seem to like the term and doesn't take credit for being it's originator and I don't know quite why. Perhaps he is just being modest.
Lustmord changed all of that and, as I was to discover, his previous album "Heretic" is generally thought of as the birth place of "dark ambient" which went on to become an entire genre of its own. Mr Williams doesn't seem to like the term and doesn't take credit for being it's originator and I don't know quite why. Perhaps he is just being modest.
This album is presented as a long form series of pieces which flow into each other and depicts a galactic journey through different hostile environments. Its extremely evocative and visual, very good to listen to on headphones. It transports the listener to a chilling and quite isolated space but at the same time is strangely tranquil.
It isn't for the faint hearted and some people wouldn't call this music at all. It has all the elements of horror or sci-fi film soundtrack and Lustmord has contributed to a number of movies in recent years.
This album is highly recommended.
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