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Ben Chatwin who performs as Talvihorros is a man of conceptual projects with a deep affection for guitar and pedals. First, he caught wider attention with his second full-length Music In Four Movements which was basically four variations on droning guitar existing somewhere between ecstasy and agony. Epic evolution of a simple motive was then captured on following EP called Guitar Improvisation II; true to its name it consisted of a single improvisation with unexpected turns and uneasy nature. Epicness and even greater emphasis on a concept remain the main characteristics of Talvihorros’ upcoming album, Descent Into Delta (out on Hibernate on August 26th) which deals with changes in waves frequency between a state of mind in gamma waves, when the mind is awake and delta, when humans sleep.

Gamma/Beta, the first “single” from Descent into Delta, nicely illustrates these changes and alterations. Typically for Chatwin, this song consists of several acts which are interconnected by a morphing, unstable guitar drone under the uncountable echoed layers of guitar and bass. In contrast to Tim Hecker and pleiad of his ambient drone-addicted contemporaries, the darkness of Gamma/Beta is warm and charming. It’s probably caused by the natural sound of guitar strings which always find their way through the droning mass. Even when Chatwin counts on the heavy bass and the inner tense inside, the composition doesn’t cross the border from melancholy to depression and persists in the area of pleasant mourn. It’ll be more than interesting to hear it placed into greater context of Descent Into Delta. For now, my mind is fully thrilled even though it should be in Gamma/Beta state.