CD Reviews

iNsCissorS - The Wordless God II (And Other Cinematic Rituals)

August 2024

FY Records

When Dreams Turn to Sounds 

*** words by Nick "Dr. D." Chanakoulas

iNsCissorS represent a truly unique musical genre, especially in Greece, where the ambient ritualistic scene is quite limited. Vincent Andelmoth, however, has always been a restless musician with a clear and distinct vision, prioritizing the quality of his releases over the size of his audience. I’ve been following this one-man project since I first encountered Destin, a track featured as a film soundtrack. The release included several remixes, one of which was by Raison d'être. Peter Andersson's involvement was no coincidence, as it arose from how effectively the band captured their cinematic ambient style. Subsequent works have been equally impressive, with Vincent presenting an avant-garde approach that transports listeners into an internal theatrical play, where dreams and nightmares take center stage.

Fast forward to today, and while I had been anticipating this release for quite some time, I admit that, even as a fan of the band, I was surprised by its depth and progression. Those familiar with the discography of iNsCissorS will notice that the band operates within certain stylistic boundaries, but the emphasis on specific elements shifts with each release. In this album, the ethnic and ritualistic aspects are more evident than the symphonic/melodic ones. The result is a diverse sonic palette, featuring instruments like the zither, chimes, harp, and bells. There’s also a Dead Can Dance aura, with Aima Lichtblau delivering outstanding vocal work. Guest appearances include Evor Ameisie and Angel Wolf Black on vocals, as well as Andreas Ntroulias on guitar.

The album artwork displays a hermetic sentiment, in line with the single Ritual II. It also gave me a conceptual connection with The Circus of Ichneumons album, another great release by the band. Notably, the mastering was done by the legendary Peter Bjärgö, who has elevated the sound of iNsCissorS to the next level.

The Wordless God II (And Other Cinematic Rituals) is a masterpiece. Not just for the Greek ambient music scene, but on a global scale. If you experience your nightmares as a horror movie, you’ve just found your soundtrack!

 

Info:

https://inscissors.bandcamp.com/album/the-wordless-god-ii-and-other-cinematic-rituals

https://www.facebook.com/inscissorsmusic/

https://www.instagram.com/inscissors/