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THERMAL+SEOFON: A Monument Of Chance
In which Thermal teams up with one half of Ambient Temple Of
Imagination to produce a four track, 52 minute album that is pitched at
a mid-point between the pair's other albums. Here, with two tracks
'evolving' from previous ATOI performances, the music is essentially
space music but mixing the rich, multi-layered soundscaping and miles
upon miles of electronics, percussion and echoed effects (as opposed to
samples) with an almost melodic quality to some of the lead layers and
burning percussive rhythms. making the 15 minute firts track roll along
like some slow-motion juggernaut, strong and unstoppable but positively
hypnotic in its effect as the soundscapes rise climactically from the
speakers to jaw-dropping effect. The near 12 minute track two takes all
these elements, drops the melody quotient, beefs up the drums, makes
everything altogether darker and louder, resulting in a monumental piece
of music where electronics and synths and percussives will knock you
right out of yuor seat. The 15 minute third track is clsoer to the
mind-boggling intensity of the ATOI CD, with vast armies of drums,
synths, lectronics combining to produce the strongest piece of music on
the album so far - music that could move mountains and, turned up loud,
will probably move the neighbours, too. An experience waiting to happen.
The final track surprises the hell out of you by doing a number that's
even louder, more intense and yet even more accessible, ending the CD on
the biggest high you could imagine, as giant waves of electronics,
drums, synths and samples roll inexorably forward with a huge sound that
could drop elephants at 40 paces. But it also has beauty, motion, depth
and heart and you wil be spellbound every time you play it. (review by Andy G. for CD Services)
A Monument of Chance - Thermal + Seofon
Thousand 11001 (USA), 1999
A Monument of Chance is the second release in the Archipelago series of
collaborations between members of a core group of California-based
experimental musicians. In this case, Thermal and Seofon, both participants
in the rave group Ambient Temple of Imagination, come together to produce an
album of rhythmic, multi-faceted ambience.
Each of the four tracks on A Monument of Chance unfolds slowly, beginning
with a simple drum loop or set of sounds and building up in intensity as a
variety of loops work their way into the mix. Rhythm never overpowers
ambience; instead, it serves as a backdrop for pseudo-melodies and abstract
sounds, drawing the listener into each piece. Most of the music here has a
fairly high level of energy, with the notable exception of the gentler
"Application of Buddhistic Classics."
It may not be for the beat-shy, but A Monument of Chance isn't bland techno
either; its trancelike rhythms and slow evolutionary patterns make for a
brand of ambience that is listenable on many different levels. (review by Eric Prindle for Ujamaa's Ambient Experience)
thermal + seofon: a monument of chance
(thousand - 1999)
Expanding on the improvisations of Ambient Temple of
Imagination's Planetary House Nation, members of that
collaboration thermal and seofon constructed the four
long-playing pieces of a monument of chance. With
intricate levels of sonic activity draped atop each other, these
tracks are complex yet smoothly flowing.
Hypnotically swirling electrons are further churned by equally entrancing layers of percussion in
ouster swarm (15:57). Echoey musical bits loop through the mix which receives additional
shadings from shapeless shadows and shimmers. The dense stew inexorably pulls the ear inward,
deeper and deeper. Simmering more a bit more slowly at first, application of buddhistic
classics again features mesmerizingly cyclical layers. Beatless, though rhythmic, at first, the track
comes to life through rather peppy, though never pushy, percussive patterns. Sparse ethnic flutes and
drones give a hint of Middle-Eastern flavorings, before the piece quietens for its fade to white.
Another 15-minute-plus track, a toy ascending the tidal current mixture opens on quiet
interstellar ripples, soon to blend with steadfastly cascading percussion and an electronic bassline;
spacey synth riffs serpentine through the pulsating molecules of sound. Eventually all slurs to a
gorgeous, effervescent wash. Organ-ic waves rise, fall and softly warble as we visit another tank
farm by trolley (9:55); weirdly wet warbles intrude with a rythmic presence, to be dominated by a
growling, low keyboard groove and invigorating beats, then enmeshed in elastically soaring strands
of feedback wails. When beats and groove dissipate, synth strata, blips and hums remain, then further
decompose
Multiple layers of activity cycling through various phases make for busy,
though utterly entrancing, sound constructions. (8.5/10 - review by David J Opdyke for AmbiEntrance)
On A Monument of Chance Thermal joins Seofon, and 2 of the four tracks 'evolved' from ATOI concerts featured in the Mystery School series: the circle is complete. 'Ouster swarm' is well named - a swirling synth storm opens out with the emergence of a beat, followed by dubby-synths and pulses, shimmering guitar, mysterious noises and drones to create a dense overwhelming soundspace, which gradually shifts and mutates before disappearing in a sonic vapour. A more questioning, uncertain mood occurs with 'Application of buddhistic classics' with a subdued percussion - including shakers and wood blocks - droning hurdygurdy, rising and falling synth tones, and a strong middle-eastern feel without being derivative. It develops a strong climax, after which the release and relaxation remains, leading to a lovely fade. 'A toy ascending the tidal current mixture' continues with the eastern mood - it opens with an extended sequence of twittering electro-birds and shimmering synths, then a bass, and organ enters accompanied by a train rhythm. The track builds in intensity, an organ playing a distant sequence, with the eastern feel. There is a gentler period, still rapid but female voice tones over, it swirls building again with more noises, deeper voices, pulsing to its finish. The second ATOI based piece, 'Another tank farm by trolley' rises from a drifting, spacey opening with synth squeals through a bass rhythm with cymbals over to a moving climax before passing back to an ambient drift fade. (review by Jeremy for Ampersand Etcetera)
Thermal and Seofon - A Monument Of Chance
Four extended pieces of music, not too dissimilar in construction and
themes, but none the less different enough to be of interest. The opening
piece 'ouster swarm' is of an experimental nature, the piece starting
slowly. There are occasional percussive noises scattered throughout,
eventually building up and settling into some sort of steady rhythmic
pattern. The end result is like a surround sound environment of percussion
and Scritti Politti type guitar noises and spacey soundscapes. Lots of
looping and effects that get into your brain. It becomes infectious and
somewhat hypnotic, annoyingly likable. It's an interesting piece of music
that for the best part tends to put me into a positive mood. It's somewhat
industrial at times, especially with the build up of volume. Now, for me,
the most interesting piece on this collection is the next track 'application
of buddhistic classics' which reminds this listener of material covered by
the likes of Muslimgauze, minus the hectic beats. Maybe even TUU. It's
eastern flavoured and again takes time to establish any recognisable
pattern. Loops are again employed, with lots of electronic effects in the
background. An amazingly likable track, of which I would have certainly
liked to have heard more of. The pieces themselves seem to be deconstructed
as they come to an end tapering off into nothingness. For every action,
there is of course an equal and opposite reaction. 'a toy ascending the
tidal current mixture' is somewhat more up tempo, than the previous tracks,
with a bass line of sorts running throughout. Drum programming and effects,
this is dance music for the ambient crowd. 'another tank farm by trolley' is
to my ears the most ambient, with a sense of grace, lots of space guitars,
bass and fx. It has a busier sound to it than the previous tracks. Like the
materials of Ambient Temple Of Imagination, this is interesting and positive
music, which, if you like head stuff, might just be what the doctor ordered.
Highly recommended and a unique listening experience. (review by Hans Stoeve for Nadabrahma)
Thermal+Seofon - A Monument of Chance - Thousand, 1999
"A fantastic collection of orchestrated experimentation and rhythm"
Thermal and Seofon are
both long-time participants in the San Francisco chill-room scene. Having
met and collaborated for over six hours at the first recorded A-TOI
performance (to which Seofon is affiliated) plans were drawn up for a more
formal joint project. The plan metamorphosised into a live performance,
reconstructions of which make up half this release.
Ouster Swarm begins as echoing factory noise, dulled and muted in the
distance. Dark ambiance swirls around the remote noises, evading the
listener. Slight beats interrupt the continuous drones, traces of eastern
instruments and western drum patterns appear and disappear, and the piece
gradually develops into an utterly engrossing worldly, noisy, atmospheric
track of epic proportions.
Application of Buddhistic Classics is similarly structured, although it
makes its presence heard far quicker, eastern riffs mingling with sparse
electronics and elaborate drumming, along the lines of an increasingly
ambient Banco de Gaia track. As the piece evolves the beats gradually take
over, the whistling riffs and electronics becoming background accompaniment
to the hypnotic rhythms.
A Toy Ascending the Tidal Current Mixture evolved from the aforementioned
live performance and echoes both Ouster and Application, but contains a
noticeably darker edge as the various instruments swirl around themselves.
The space created by this piece is immense, akin to radios in an empty
warehouse, the music again hypnotic and involving.
Manipulated 'footage' from performance work by Freezer and another A-TOI
live piece combine to make Another Tank Farm by Trolley, the final track of
the album. This is by far the most abstract of the four, yet it still
retains both a playfulness in the occasional rhythms and an intensity in the
sounds.
A Monument of Chance is a fantastic collection of orchestrated
experimentation and rhythm. Within it, one can find elements of ambient
music, classical, snatches of chilled-out electronica, even muted industrial
tones, but the magic happens within their combination, by Thermal and
Seofon's inbuilt ability to manipulate sound and explore composition. The
results are often intense, sometimes eerie, occasionally graceful, and
always exciting, engaging and full of realised potential. Highly
recommended. (review by Wireviews)
Thermal + Seofon - "A Monument of Chance" - Boxman/Thousand Space Funk CD
Thermal and Seofon take
part in what they deem "sonic recycling." This collaboration's release of
orchestrated experimentation is made up of two rebuilt versions of their
first live performance, (which was surprisingly Thermal and Seofon's
initial collaboration), and two in-studio recordings. The duo expands the
potential of empty warehouse spaces and factory noise, combining those
sounds with intricate drum patterns and beautifully dark eastern sounds.
"A Toy Ascending from the Tidal Current Mixture" is hypnotically intense,
roaring and swirling over its own pulsating rhythms, whereas "Ouster Swarm"
begins with a machine drone ambience that develops into a worldly, noisy,
beat-infused, eerie track. An excellent release of sonic exploration and
re-manipulation. (review by Kathleen Maloney for XLR8R #38)
A Monument of Chance contains four thoughtfully constructed soundscapes whose common framework consists of insistent beats and loops laced with synthesizers and samples. "Application of Buddhistic Classics" is appropriately Eastern in sound, though that aesthetic seems to inform quite a bit of the music contained within. Altogether an intelligent album, much like the comments often submitted to this list by Thermal's creative force, Joshua Maremont. (review by Stephen Fruitman for ambient@hyperreal mailing list)
I'm just beginning to absorb Thermal + Seofon's "A Monument Of Chance" which spans through an array of ambient/middle-eastern/minimal and atmospheric elements loosely hinged to a tribal "sound". Extra long track time's on this 52-minute, 4-track ep which is a compilation of previously released tracks. If you're in a relaxed mood, tired, and aren't interested in hearing crazy electronics, A Monument... will fit you well. Lots of live drumming, twisted layers of rhythmical soundscapes, and "space-funk" for your brain to consume. Very well produced, with melodies and atmospherics that are spread out evenly and consistently throughout. Seek this one out.. you won't be disappointed! (review by Pietro Da Sacco for ambient@hyperreal mailing list)
THERMAL & SEOFON - A MONUMENT OF CHANCE (CD by Boxman)
This is one of the more puzzling releases. Who did what, when and where? I think there are two artists involved, Seofon and Thermal.
Both are member of A Toi Mystery School (ATOI) who also delivered a new CD. Imbedded in the Los Angeles scene of ambient music
(and in this case, to add to the confusing, ambient with techno beats). The Seofon & Thermal release has four lenghty tracks
held together by an army of synth drones and enrolling rhythm patterns. At times they arrive at a tribal sound (think Rapoon
or Muslimgauze), which could induce trance states - or not (a dope-free head might not help). Among these four there is no particular
standout, it's all quite alright. (review by Frans de Waard for Vital Weekly, Week 50 Number 204)
Thermal + Seofon
A Monument of Chance
Thousand
...A Monument of Chance treads similar ground to Time Out of Mind, but the specific route it takes is more densely vegetated. On this release, Thermal and Seofon chart dense ambient fogs, thick and misty jungles, and (of course) the farther reaches of outer space. There are 4 tracks here, each lasting approximately 15 minutes, and having a unique character unto themselves. Two were culled from live concerts ("A Toy Ascending the Tidal Current Mixture" and "Another Tank Farm by Trolley"), and the other two ("Ouster Swarm" and "Application of Buddhist Classics") are studio tracks. Strands of Muslimguaze-esque sift through the mix, while sublime layers of synthy texture float above. The term "Space Funk" adorns the CD, and I think it fits both of these albums nicely. (review by Nirav Soni for Ink19)