REVIEWS

Netherworld
Lost

Penumbra Records

Posted: Thursday, June 22, 2006
By: Nate Rand

Lost is not a casual listening experience; it is an incredibly disturbing ride through the halls of the dead guided by the voices of the damned. Present at all times during this recording is a palpable sense of dread and an otherworldly atmosphere that does not so much suggest an alternate reality to the listener, but instead forcibly transports the listener directly to it. "Lost" is one 22-minute track that consists mainly of haunting ambient sounds and eerie chanting guaranteed to rattle the teeth of even the most steely-nerved aficionados of dark music. As such, this release has decidedly limited appeal. Do not expect to pop this disc into your player and be greeted with something familiar, comforting, or even remotely resembling a pop sensibility. This is a journey through hell, and would be perfectly suitable background music for a horror movie or some shivery late night reading.

If you are a fan of creepy, atmospheric recordings and follow artists like Goblin or Current 93, you would do well to pick this up. If, on the other hand, you prefer a more structured and song-oriented listening experience, this album is not for you. Ultimately, Lost has a power that cannot be ignored and an effect that cannot be easily removed. It will have the listener fearfully checking dark corners for a ghostly presence. It will cause the listener to jump at sudden noises. It will raise goose bumps. Imagine walking through your nightmares in a wakeful state, and you will have a close approximation of the feeling imparted by this release. If this sort of experience is something you find appealing, do not hesitate to add Lost to your collection of spooky audio confections. To all others: you have been warned.