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DELPHIUM: Snowhill-X EP
First edition Release year: 1997/2002 Format: 7" EP Tracklist: Second edition General facts: Delphium comes from Berkshire, UK. The Snowhill-X EP was first released in May 1997. The edition was limited to 250 copies on clear vinyl with handmade cover art with printed linoleum finishing/center piece. A second edition of 300 copies was published in April 2002 on slightly transparent dark red vinyls with printed covers. Review: Snowhill X-EP is composed of four tracks of Experimental Dark Industrial/Ambient, composed of synthersiser melodies, discrete guitar Noise, pulsating rhythms and various low frequency drones. The sound is sometimes quite noisy - like on Snowhill X or Lie to Me - yet it is always easy to make out what is actually going on and in general; Snowhill-X is quite easy listened to for an experimental EP. The tracks are very stigmatising, meaning that they easily stick to the mind and won't let go of you that easily. It seems that this English project is quite skilled in adding a lot of depth to their solemn music without hiding behind a turmoil of drones and such. It also seems like one of the major ingredients in Delphium's music is the use of guitar, yet this guitar sound isn't used in the traditional melodic fashion but more in an ambient one. Delphium displays some very interesting ways to create a melancholic and dark atmosphere with their usage of this versatile instrument, adding a gloomy touch to the music. These sound textures may sometimes be slightly grim, other times quite tranquil, yet always suggesting grey, bleak images akin to that on the cover to the listener. My favourite on this EP is the depressive Stringsong 1, an utterly beautiful piece of melancholic Dark Ambient music that really seems to slow down the world. Snowhill X-EP contains music with a with a lot of substance, excellent to rejoice in while waiting in the colder days of the year. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five questions to Delphium DELPHIUM: I have been writing music as Delphium since 1992/3. The main reason for doing so was I decided I no longer wished to play in bands; I wanted to concentrate on music that I was writing and put all of my energy into that. Also, it was something to do, a hobbie maybe... DELPHIUM: Well, the material on the Drone EP was recorded in 1995 and not released until '97! There isn't a concept as such, but all 4 of the tracks were recorded within a few weeks of each other in March (I think) 1995. Contrary to popular opinion, almost all of the sounds on the EP are treated guitar sounds, there are very few keyboard parts...Most of the music was recorded live onto an analogue 4 track cassette machine. I think the tracks work well together as they all have a very "dark" sound; probably to do with how I felt at the time ECTONAUT: How would you describe your music completely new listeners? Do you feel that your project belongs to a certain genre? Are there any bands that you think you can relate to soundwise and conceptwise? DELPHIUM: I couldn't really describe the music as anything other than "dark". As I tend to write in different styles and genres I don't think Delphium should be categorised! I write everything from electronic to ambient, dark dub to orchestral....In the past Delphium has always been mentioned as an industrial or experimental work and this maybe true, but I'd like to think we have a broader sound and outlook than that..... ECTONAUT: What is most important in music according to you? How do you define quality music and what are your musical influences? DELPHIUM: The most important aspects of music to me personally is atmosphere and feel. I don't care if the music is badly produced or if the samples are slightly out of time or whatever, as long as the feel is there then I am happy. Quality music is something you will listen to more than once, something you don't mind paying out for rather than having the feeling that you've wasted your money! Influences? Hmmmmm.....everything from Loop to Joy Division/New Order, Godflesh, Tori Amos, Zoviet france, Cranes, Neu! etc DELPHIUM: We have a 7" Heart Full Of Soul EP and CD-EP Good Morning heartache both due for release this year on the German label, Moloko Plus. The former is very ambient, more so than the Drone EP whilst the latter is very electronic, almost metal in places. We are currently finishing another album which features american ambient vocalist Sara Ayers as well as our new female vocalist Pixie.... I'm not sure when this album will be released as I do not have a deal for it yet. There is also a split 10" EP with The Infant Cycle (Canada) and Children Of Asmodeus that has just been released by Moloko Plus. Thank you for the review and the interview. If anyone would like to contact us we can be contacted via: - Click here to visit the official Delphium website - Click here to contact Delphium |
