One of the tags on the page for this release by Ceylan is “ambient” but the title (“The Dark Ages”) and cover art (perhaps calming, but with a definite dark undertow) were clues that something slightly heavier might be in store. In addition, each of the four tracks has an associated companion poem, and some of the words in those poems also hint at some other darkness – agitation, haunted, constraints – maybe summed up best by one line of the poem for “Obsession”: “I feel the weight of the shadow.”
Opening track “Agitation” starts on a mellow wave but quickly gets more menacing as it unfolds, including a cool driving rhythm pattern for a while before everything settles back down. “Contraintes” kicks off with a sinister vocal which leads to some ominous industrial noises. Third song “Sommet” has many layers and provides a bit of calm before the closing track “Obsession.” The final song is the longest track and unfolds slowly. It includes the sound of wind blowing over open space and noises suggesting there’s something threatening is out there. Eventually the track resolves and we find we’re alone again back in the open space with only the wind (and maybe the weight of the shadows?). This whole package is really interesting and really good, so don’t be afraid of the dark.