Year: 2024
Label: Zoharum

Oh no, another one of Zoharum’s extensive – to the point of being excessive! – ambient anthologies! This was my first thought upon getting my hands on this 3 CD compilation, with the Polish label’s recent Rapoon 3 CD compilation Dream Circle (In Three Phases) (read our review) in fresh memory. And while there are similarities in the nature of the releases, musically the two are quite different. And as such, my assessment of them.

Twilight Of Perception Redux shares the name with an older compilation from the mid-90’s. However, I think it is best to think of these two as entirely different releases: they share less than half of the original’s tracks, which means about 1/6th of this compilation’s tracks. But, like that one, this is a deep dive into the archives of the Dutch project, compiling together rare and hard to find compilation tracks and such. Apparently it is also the first installment in a series that is meant to expand to at least four volumes.

Vidna Obmana’s style is an almost cosmic, harmonious and peaceful take on ambient. Slow, long, drawn out layers of understated synthesizers dominate here. The music is not so much about composition as it is about movement; of slowly shifting, undulating and transforming layers of soothing, beautiful and ever-so-slightly mystic ambience. Subtle details such as buried percussive elements, piano or harmonious supporting layers bring depth to the compositions, but never make the music crowded or demanding.

This is the kind of music you can put on for relaxing, meditation or other activities, and it will beautifully keep you grounded. However, especially at this length, listening to Twilight Of Perception Redux in one sitting is some kind of madness. I’m fairly sure I at least couldn’t withstand the entire thing in one helping.

But of course, the release being a three CD thing, there’s no need to do that. It’s easy to listen to one CD per listening session. With each CD clocking in at about one hour, they’re quite heavy in their own right as well, but not too.

To reiterate, I admit I approached this CD with quite some trepidation. Or worse: I was fairly sure this would be an ordeal to sit through. I was surprised to find it wasn’t; quite the contrary in fact. I quite enjoy listening to Vidna Obmana’s understated if not exactly minimalist compositions of ethereal, cosmic ambience. I may splice the whole into smaller bits, but I enjoy those bits unreservedly.

My only grievance is that there are lengthy silences between some of the tracks – we’re talking five to ten seconds. This sounds like a quibble, but in music like this, such needless interruptions to a seamless, constantly streaming audial journey have a disproportionately large impact. They really bother me.

Apart from that, Twilight Of Perception Redux is a beautiful piece of ambient music in its own right, and another worthy archival project by the fine people at Zoharum. Definitely holds a wider appeal than just for Vidna Obmana fans.

Visit Vidna Obmana on Bandcamp, or visit Dirk Serries’ website