26th December 2012
Canadian drone sculptor Blake Gibson known as Broken Harbour, based in Edmonton, strikes once again!!! After successful, self-released “Gramophone Transmissions” album he returns with his third full length work, entitled “The Geometry Of Shadows”. This time released during November 2012 under the wings of Relaxed Machinery. The first impression is again very strong, just like with “Gramophone Transmissions” (thanks to the stunning cover images by Polish photo wizard Michal Karcz). For “The Geometry Of Shadows” digipak packaging Blake has teamed with another highly applauded visual designer, Kati Astraeir from Tucson, Arizona. There is no way to go wrong with having giants like these two on your side!!! Okay, let’s explore now the interactions with the sonic part.
“The Geometry Of Shadows” is comprised of 5 longer pieces, all clocking between 11 and 14 and half minutes. As mentioned by its protagonist, the original material for the album was recorded in late 2009, but later, during 2012, was completely reworked to nowadays shape. The album unveils sharply with abysmally freezing and static drones of “Superluminal”, wrapped by icy wind, slowly expanding and diving to the most shadowy realms. A truly mind-bending, mammoth drone odyssey!!! The title composition, “The Geometry Of Shadows”, moves towards more minimal, less massive structure with circling mechanical noises and eerie breaths, assorted distant rumbles and dissonances, all hazed by pervaded glitches. “Between The Darkness And The Light” returns immediately into heavier drone territories, sounding the deep, surrounded by high-pitched tinkles, squeaks, swirls and noises. Another mind-blowing sonic adventure, which during the second half gently cascades into circling and immense celestial and cinematic panoramas. Not only a precisely fitting track title, but also a pure sonic bliss by Broken Harbour!!! And it’s just amazing how it works together with Kati Astraeir’s cover image!!! But the magic continues with “Luminosity”. I remember surveying this track for the first time while uploading some of my pictures taken in Krásnohorská Cave and it left me immediately breathless!!! No matter if entitled “Luminosity”, Broken Harbour’s drone virtuosity was stunningly interplaying with these graciously monumental sceneries and quickly transported me back to these fascinating underground domains. Again flavored here and there by high-pitched infusions. Must be the “Luminosity” that bridges the past and present. What a journey!!!
This is Broken Harbour at the top of his craft, at his most intense and colossal!!! The closing composition, “Ansible”, merges deep low drones with hummed cybernetic fragments, expanding, flowing and ebbing. It provides a very strong finale of this spectacular listening experience. Even if drone based, still richly illuminating, but always powerfully complex and deeply immersing. Broken Harbour is undoubtedly another enormously vital addition to already impressive Canadian ambient scene, mostly represented by artists from Toronto, London and Vancouver areas. Great stuff, you can be really proud of it, Blake!!! And keep on droning!!! I would like to mention also Peter James and Steve Brand from Relaxed Machinery gang, who are credited for mastering and design. Last but not least, I really hope more artists from Relaxed Machinery roster will consider this way in the future, when it goes to packaging choices. Digipak, CD wallet or standard jewel case packaging looks more challenging!!!
Source – http://relaxedmachinery.ning.com/profiles/blogs/my-review-of-the-geometry-of-shadows-cdr-by-broken-harbour