Author: Christopher Hoffmann Jacob

33 Year Old Graphic Designer, Blogger, Artist and Musician based in Long Beach, California! Operating the Eternity Tree blog, as well as the Webelotrax NetLabel

Watershed, by Dao De Noize

Quick Picks

Watershed by Dao De Noize is a contemplative and brooding ambient project presented by Wormhole World Records.

The 5 tracks are lengthy and expansive, conveying potent feelings and visuals throughout the playtime. Amidst the avant-garde synth work lurks an ominous energy that is sprawling yet not rushed. Stylistically speaking, the album occupies a space in between atmospheric ambient and soft industrial. Mellow enough to be relaxing but imbued with deep emotions that lend to the darkness and a sense of urgency.

Watershed explores some longform concepts as well, including the 5th and final track which clocks in at a whopping 32 minutes. These longer tracks allow Dao De Noize to really find foothold in the sounds, slowly churning and evolving as time ticks on. Macrostudies in ambient-techno and fuzzy radio waves gliding across the landscape.

For fans of Dark Ambient and Industrial, Watershed will be a deeply satisfying experience and likely will be on rotation for several years thanks to both its listenability and ability to challenge the listener. Watershed was created by Ukrainian artist Artem Pismenetskii aka Dao De Noize – all proceeds will be donated to Ukrainian support charities. While the CD is sold out already, we can still enjoy the digital edition via Wormhole Worlds Bandcamp Page.

TREETRAX VOLUME ONE

Quick Picks

We are incredibly proud and excited to announce a brand new compilation series in collaboration with our label branch WEBELOTRAX RECORDS – we present to you TreeTrax Volume One!

18 Producers and Artists gathered together to create and experiment for this project. We encouraged all participants to not worry about genre but to focus on exploring their own creative essence. The result is broad, bold and impressive to say the least.

The track list explores the more gritty and eclectic side of underground electronic music – pinballing between floating ambience to distorted groove in a most satisfying way.

We hope this collection of songs is inspiring, perhaps a little challenging, because that’s how the underground flourishes. Please explore and support all the participating artists directly!

snow day ep, by hyacinth.

Quick Picks

Snow day ep by hyacinth is a relaxed downtempo trip-hop project with a touch of post-vaporwave lofi looping vibes.

Rooted in experimental bedroom beat-making energy, the 9 track ep swirls through samples, riffs and grooves with an effortless sense of style. The dusty boom-bap percussion layered with warped jazzy samples take me back to 2008, evoking feelings of Madlib and Boards of Canada.

This little beat tape packs a lot of heart and creative energy into its relatively short playtime – it won my heart over and I found myself playing it on repeat. Perfect for mellow mornings with a warm cup of coffee.

You can support the artist and pick up the release for ONLY 2 BUCKS via their self operated label peradam tapes.

Beyond the Starbox [Deluxe Edition], by Jake Stevenson

Quick Picks

Dreamy dissonance and celestial chimes from this stellar re-release by Jake Stevenson presented by Legendary Entertainment.

Beyond the Starbox is a intriguing and satisfying little album that captures fuzzy feelings of nostalgia with a healthy spoonful of existential dread. Lathered and rinsed in retro video game vibes, I often felt like I was exploring some polygonal landscape before clipping into a bizarre hidden zone. The comforting yet haunting aura of drifting pianos and hazy distorted synthesizers evokes some pretty potent emotions, packing a whole lot of emotion into the gently dissonant soundscapes.

The second half of the project is a full-album remix by Second Sight – offering yet another angle to view this bizarre world. Quite a unique concept which definitely adds to the charm and playability of this album.

The project is officially available on Cassette now as well as digital editions via Bandcamp.

dusk eater, by krzyzis

Quick Picks

Whimsical yet melancholy ambient explorations from Canadian producer krzyzis – dusk eater is a pleasant long-form 7 track album of nostalgic soundscapes.

The central element of this release is pressure and tension. Each track forms around a drone backbone, eventually spurring into more abstract and avant-garde directions. Sudden harmonic dissonance, the occasional plucking of strings, a distant siren crying – all swirling together to create a sound that is somehow both relaxing and exciting.

There is something very grounded about this project as well. I am not sure what it is, but it harkens back to the days of Windham Hill albums – ambient with a purpose and a deep emotion associated with it. Perhaps its the ‘movement’ within each piece – krzyzis does a wonderful job not allowing drone/ambient to become stale or stagnant.

This one is good for mellow late nights or as the perfect soundtrack for whatever book you are currently reading! The album is available now digitally via the artists Bandcamp page.

Limnociclo, by Druida

Quick Picks

New experimental sounds from the Vivarium Recordings camp!

Limnociclo by Druida is a marvelous experience of sonic exploration – successfully weaving together threads of lofi chiptunes, long lost casio loops and an atmosphere of thick smoke.

I am always a big fan of electroacoustic experimentation, so Limnociclo ended up being a deeply satisfying experience for me. Druida masterfully layers very intimate pluckings and tappings with urgent bass and frothing pads of dissonance. The result is a surreal and soundtrack-esque experience.

Tracks like Forma really caught my attention, fusing together reggaeton and post-vaporwave into a downtempo groove. Or Nowhere FM – where the true experimentality of the project is given space to breathe and flourish.

I could go on about how the rhythmic shredding massages my brain, how the project is mixed so masterfully that you can almost taste the local climate, or how flawlessly the album glides between genres and tones. To put it simply, you need to hear it to understand, and I highly recommend this one.

You can stream and download the project now from Vivarium Recordings bandcamp page.

Synergy, by Isamesu

Quick Picks

Synergy is a 4 track EP of radically luscious soundscapes and gritty experimental techno created by Isamesu and presented by Illegal Alien Records.

This release really drew me in – gripping my attention with fierce determination. This is psychedelic ambient music that has been soaked in absinthe and distortion for a fortnight. Fusing together ambient mentality with techno urgency, Isamesu communicates a feeling of futuristic antiquity with their layers of frothing percussion and otherworldly synths. The sounds provoke you to contemplate – encouraging the listener to stand on their toes and scan the horizon, hunted and haunted.

Truly energetic and unique, throw this one on for big cyberpunk vibes and archaic inspiration. Available now digitally or on cassette via the label’s Bandcamp page.

Cold EP, by Vasko the Pig

Quick Picks

I am not sure what is in the air that has compelled people to start unearthing and releasing long-lost creations, but I am certainly loving the trend!

From 2014 we have the Cold EP by Vasko the Pig (Fwonk, Webelotrax and beyond) – a hazy and glitchy little experience drawn out across 4 lengthy tracks.

Vasko really flexes their signature “industrial yet melodic” style all over this project, with sweeping pads and buzzing synths engulfing the listener as if we are witnessing some bizarre sonic ritual manifest. The beginnings of harsh shredding sounds ripping through dimensions eventually settle into both rhythmic and melodic clarity.

Described by the producer as “Noisy and Weird. Messier than the stuff I do now” – however you could have fooled me, as tracks like Quarantine Zone (an interesting title indeed!) are focused, polished and intriguing.

For fans of drone, post-rock and ambient vaporwave – there’s a little something for everyone in here. You can stream + download the EP directly from the artists bandcamp.

Spreading Roots Episode #5

Mixes

Spreading Roots Episode #5 is out NOW on Ingrown Radio!

This installment of our hour-long radio show features a healthy dose of what I consider thinking music.

Lots of downtempo grooves, melancholy progressions and atmospheric ambience.

Some might call it background music – and it can absolutely serve this purpose. But upon a closer listen, the sounds can be both a tool for meditation and introspection.

Please enjoy this episode of Spreading Roots…

Spreading Roots is a Mix Series Presented by Ingrown Records

Songs selected and mixed by Eternity Tree’s Christopher Hoffmann Jacob (A.K.A. Ohsaurus)

Christopher’s Links – Website  Label  Twitter

Listen and Explore via BNDCMPR!

Tracklist

  1. emptybrother7 – lxvnge
    https://emptybrother7.bandcamp.com/track/lxvnge
  2. Liquid Fin – FACES + PLACES (blasted mix)
    https://liquidfin.bandcamp.com/track/faces-places-blasted-mix
  3. Kriva – Alka-Seltzer
    https://outcasttapes.bandcamp.com/track/alka-seltzer
  4. DJ Presença – AON 25
    https://presenca.bandcamp.com/track/aon-25
  5. Antonello Perfetto & Greg Nieuwsma – T-Bar Cichlid
    https://submarinebroadcastingco.bandcamp.com/track/t-bar-cichlid
  6. LIFE EDUCATION – Canyon Decay
    https://kosmonauten.bandcamp.com/track/canyon-decay
  7. Orvang Halmer – IMAX Waterfalls
    https://ingrown.bandcamp.com/track/imax-waterfalls
  8. gnaarf – Out of Mind, into the Night
    https://gnaarf.bandcamp.com/track/out-of-mind-into-the-night
  9. Multiform Palace – Street Koto
    https://multiformpalace.bandcamp.com/track/street-koto
  10. Scott Thorough – 4PM
    https://scottthorough.bandcamp.com/track/4pm
  11. Sleep Movies – 5G DAYDRM
    https://sleepmovies.bandcamp.com/track/5g-daydrm-2
  12. Lunar Cambridge – The Celestial Mechanic
    https://webelotrax.bandcamp.com/track/the-celestial-mechanic
  13. The Gaye Device – The Other Where The Other When
    https://submarinebroadcastingco.bandcamp.com/track/the-other-where-the-other-when
  14. waavypanda – basophobia
    https://waavypanda.bandcamp.com/
  15. DJ Presença – Enigma
    https://presenca.bandcamp.com/track/enigma
  16. Spooki Tavi – If There Is Then With You
    https://doomtrip.bandcamp.com/track/if-there-is-then-with-you

The Insiders of the In-Between, by Noria Lilt

Quick Picks

Intriguing and intricate experimental breaks from Noria Lilt.

Brought to us by Swiss imprint Strecke records, The Insiders of the In-Between explores the more atmospheric and interpretive side of jungle music.

The word *deconstructed* comes to mind, but I am not sure if that’s quite appropriate. When applied to club music concepts, it often leaves the rhythm fragmented in favor of an exploration of sounds.

Lots of focus turns to textures, as synths and loops flourish over breaks and hardcore bass. Hazy and energetic, sometimes approaching recklessness, only to be grounded once again by intoxicating syncopation of fuzzy percussion against sharp, smacking snares.

Perhaps if we called this *deconstructed rave* it will be passable – because although Noria Lilt takes some truly experimental liberties with the genre, it never gets to the point of fragmentation beyond the groove.

Complete with remixes from Atrice and MSJY for further reinterpretation of the sounds, this record is actually much bigger than it appears. Taking into consideration the very appealing physical package as well, this one should be on your radar if not already in your headphones….