SENMUTH — Expanding Architecture (review)

SENMUTH — Expanding Architecture album cover Album · 2010 · Industrial Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3/5 ·
Conor Fynes
'Expanding Architecture' - Senmuth (6/10)

As an ambient work released by the Russian experimental project Senmuth during the latter half of 2010, it could be quite easy for Senmuth's dive into space-age atmosphere 'Expanding Architecture' to go virtually unnoticed, especially during a year when the ridiculously prolific artist released more albums than there are months to write them with. However, while this subtle voyage through space is still relatively mundane when compared to more energetic, structured music, Senmuth does give a different vibe and atmosphere here than with the majority of his work, which tarries primarily with earthly, ancient matters.

In terms of structure and composition, the majority of the music here shows Senmuth at some of his most loose, obviously putting more of an attention on soundscapes and textures over a more traditional musical narrative. However, songs like the somewhat driven 'Nebula Canvas' break the spacey soundscapes with a bit more of a conventional Senmuth jam. However, while much of this music does feel improvised and a bit too scattered to provide a truly memorable experience, there is a surprising amount of detail to listen for, although many of these small flourishes are nearly impossible to detect until the second or third listen.

Possibly 'Expanding Architecture's biggest strength over many of the lesser works is it's proper use of sound. While many of the instruments used in Senmuth's work are just computer synthesizers meant to sound like any number of exotic instruments, the music here sounds quite a bit more professional, in no small part to due to the fact that the subject matter this time around revolves almost entirely around the cosmos. Without having to concentrate too much on a 'folk' sound, Senmuth is able to use electronics more properly without sounding tacky, and it generally works quite well here.

The music here is reminiscent of Vangelis' 'Blade Runner' soundtrack, or even of some of the more soundscape-oriented ambient tracks from the film '2001: A Space Odyssey'. With that in mind, someone looking for a somewhat cinematic experience will find solace in 'Expanding Architecture', although for all intents and purposes, the album still remains firmly in the category of background music.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Deviance Deathcore
ASHES INTO BLOOD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Equilibrium Atmospheric Sludge Metal
BESRA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Tension Between Rot And Genesis Sludge Metal
ANTHESIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Recycle Brain Crust Punk
C.P.G
Buy this album from MMA partners
Cartography Of The Mind Deathcore
TETHERED
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

Besra – Unsullied (Music Video)
BESRA
Bosh66· 12 hours ago
Tethered - Breathe (Official Video)
TETHERED
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - Walking The Blade (OFFICIAL VISUALIZER)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - The Negative (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
Saltwound - Drowning feat. Taylor Barber (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
SALTWOUND
Bosh66· 1 day ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed