The Ever Green Tree
Hibernation
Legends
Stalkinghorse
Hallmark
This Vale Of Tears

Another surprise departure from the Cold Meat Industry camp for Desiderii Marginis is this vinyl release on the relatively new French label Kaosthetik Konspiration. I immensely enjoyed their work on the split release "Lost Signals From Unknown Horizons" (Beast Of Prey) [read review here] and around the same time their last full release "Strife" (CMI) [read review here].

This release feels much darker and more mature than "Strife". The songs flourish with clanging, noisy soundscapes which weave their way in and out of drone-laden backdrops. There are even some female vocals and guitars on this release, something I don't recall from any previous Desiderii work. The final track, 'This Vale Of Tears', is taken from the magnificent 2001 compilation "The Last Bleak Days" on Bleak Records (run by Hærleif of Northaunt fame) and is a very apt closing piece for this neat slab of vinyl.

Presented as a concept album, "based on eternal youth, eternal values, fame and immortality....'The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy' (A.N.Whitehead)", the pieces take on a greater depth. The bleak and oppressive excursions never become tiresome or obvious and have a real depth to them. I can seriously say this is some of the best and most original material I've heard from Johan yet. An absolutely essential release for any Dark Ambient connoisseur!

JLM