Detailed Reviews [B-Rain - 2018 - "Echoes from the Undertow"]

Prolusion. Italian project B-Rain is the creative vehicle of composer and musician Davide Guidoni, who is otherwise known as the drummer in progressive rock band Daal. "Echoes From the Undertow" is his first solo creation, and was released by Italian label Lizard Records back in 2018.

Analysis. While this is a production that comes with a bit of a progressive rock pedigree, the music on this album isn't one that fits into a progressive rock context as such. Atmospheric laden music is what we are provided with on this production, and one I suspect many would describe as being of ambient intent as well as orientation. In many ways I regard this album as a journey, and quite possibly a musical rendition of a journey through the night or a musical description of someone travelling through dangerous landscapes. Various sounds of nature is an ongoing feature here, and the majority of the compositions here also feature a liberal amount of sounds and effects that appear to have been purposefully planned to create unnerving and creepy effects. From dark, ominous textures to whispering sounds that may or may not be voices and the sound you do not want to hear when going through the woods on a dark night. In between the unnerving escapades we are presented with other landscapes too however. Playful flute and violin details, dramatic orchestral textures, mournful brass surges and melancholic folk music details come and go here, and at some point we get a touch of neo-progressive rock of a more atmospheric laden manner too as well as a nod in the direction of the more ambient sections of the progressive electronic universe. The unnerving aspects of this production are left behind when the concluding piece 'Homeward Bound' appears, as the ambient textures are flavored with uplifting folk-music inspired details here. The name of the song as well as the overall mood of this creation kind of emphasizes my impression that this album is all about describing a journey by way of sounds and music.

Conclusion. "Echoes From the Undertow" is an expressive and creative take on the ambient music genre, exploring it in a manner that adds a distinct but perhaps subtle horror element to the landscapes explored, or at least the unnerving feeling of danger being imminent. This creates a strong nerve and tension throughout, and the gliding transitions into different sounding landscapes followed by a return to the more unnerving soundscapes adds an effective emphasis to the nerve inducing elements. A production to seek out by those with an interest in a rather different and not quite relaxing example of ambient music.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room