Inner Demons #19
https://innerdemonsrecords.bandcamp.com/
Dardis – A Chain Reaction of Various Cracks – 2x3”CDRR/Download
– 2022 – [IND132D]
http://www.colindardispoet.co.uk/sounds.html
1.
Ankle Grinder.
2.
Ankle Grinder (Redux).
3.
A Crack in the Redux.
4.
A Persistent Echo Heard Through the Rain.
Image from Inner Demons Records Bandcamp.
My last Inner Demons review was Colin Dardis’ Funerealism release
on Inner Demons so his work is no stranger to this blog and I liked his work.
He also writes and releases books of his own poetry along with his own music. He
is based in Northern Ireland, his work is influenced by his own experiences
with Asperger Syndrome and Depression. He has performed at events, been
shortlisted for prizes and ran workshops with his work. This album was created during the first lockdown
but couldn’t be completed until afterwards.
Ankle Grinder starts with drones, they feel like lighthouse
beams shining through fog on the edge of land surrounded by a big ocean, I like
the atmospherics at work here. Lately on the blog, I have talked about artists
using noise in a quieter setting, although this leans into ambient territory
heavy, the subtle use of noise is good, it keeps my interest. The redux version
of Ankle Grinder uses deeper, sorrowful drones to build its sound. I like the
immersive quality that the work gives off. A Crack in the Redux is the most
sinister of the three tracks on the third disc as it uses echo on sounds that
spread across the track like ripples in a puddle. I feel a quality akin to
Scott Walkers songs on Nite Flights present in this work, the strings whether
they be actual or sampled have that affect. It occupies an ambient territory
that resonates beauty and a sense of drama subtly played out.
The final track occupies an entire disc, A Persistent Echo
Heard Through the Rain. This starts with the bleakness of the Ankle Grinder
tracks. I have to add while the pre-Spring sun shines on me through my blinds,
this work is an amazing soundtrack. This work is busier than the other track,
subtle busy, but still busier. The shifts across the work from sound through to
sound demonstrate this. A persistent Echo uses deeper sounds that feel as if
they were sourced from human voices, it feels immersive as if the listener is
floating t in the work. This is very good ambient work, I like how it is themed
from the above description, it relates to the enforced solitude that some had
to experience during these times.
Being an artist that works across genres can be a liability
with noise or ambient work. It often requires a lot more commitment as it can
just be the sound side project and be a bit shit. I have seen this a lot when reviewing
the multi-dimensional artist’s shit HNW project or sound art project that has
no depth. Not here, the sound work of Dardis on Inner Demons has so far, proved
to be excellent, I like this work a lot. This is well worthy of purchase.
Alone and one 2023.
