Deaf Center – Owl Splinters

Fresh and mystic album named “Owl Splinters” opens the musical scenes from modern classic to dark ambient. Recorded in the studio based in Germany the work contains some improvisation with sound and technique.

“The day I Would Never Have” is the symbiosis of classical aesthetics and sharp atmospheres. Electric violin stabs straight through while lyrical live piano sound is covered by sharp and light noise. This stimulates ears like a pethidine does brains. Gigantic atmosphere is created.

Hardly it is possible to find exact musical definition for this work because it is a mixture of all that is considered to be valuable in academic plane. The creation that leaves behind the limit of the mind.

Deaf Center "Owl Splinters" CD

More than 5 years passed since the amazing full length debut "Pale Ravine", but Erik Skodvin and Otto Totland were quite busy working on their other solo and co-work projects that resulted during 2010 into two masterpieces like "Flare" by Erik Skodvin and "Retold" by Nest. Not to forget, Erik has also released during this period of time several albums under his Svarte Greiner project. But now it's time for another chapter in Deaf Center's history. The opening dark droning piece "Divided" indicates slight change and evolvement when comparing to cinematic ambience on "Pale Ravine". The music of Erik and Otto seems to be more experimental, dramatic and mysterious. Maybe not exactly on "Time Spent" with mournful piano, but with "New Beginning (Tidal Darkness)" the things move to more tense and oppressive direction with always evolving atmospheres, centered around Erik's cello and Otto's piano. Definitely the first highlight on this exciting journey. But the next composition, "The Day I Would Never Have", is most likely the most evocative piece of Deaf Center I have ever heard. This almost 11 minute long epic features in the beginning some really peaceful and delicate piano that soon transforms into massive and harsh wall of drones and noises, but all the tension is quickly relieved during the closing two minutes. Absolutely essential composition! "Animal Sacrifice" keeps its more experimental and minimal feel, based around disturbing cello. "Fiction Dawn" is just opposite, a very refreshing tune with ethereal piano theme while the next, "Close Forever Watching", is dramatically evolving and culminating droning piece, another big one! "Hunted Twice" is slightly experimental in its first half while the rest is beautifully sounding piano outro for this grandiose, complex and polished piece of music. Not easy accessible, for sure it requires more listening sessions, but if you dive deeply into the world of Deaf Center's musicianship, then it will be one fully rewarding listening experience. Yes, "Owl Splinters" is another masterwork from this Norwegian duo!!!

Richard Gürtler (Apr 10, 2011, Bratislava, Slovakia)

First one from Deaf Center for me so I can not relate to previous commentor. Although not really an ambient album (I am a big fan of that style) to my opinion it is a very good one. I liked the atmosphere, quite some piano pieces in it, beautifully played, fitted in quite well. Maybe I am an optimistic type, but I wouldnt call this dark ambient. Its enjoyable, the music touched me.

When I learned that Deaf Center was finally releasing another album I almost jumped for joy... Well now that I own and have listened to this release several times, I'm glad that I didn't waste my energy for that jump. The music, while pleasent enough, is not what I was expecting. It reminds me much more of Skodvin's Svarte Greiner dark ambient guise then Deaf Center's sound. Neon City & Pale Ravine have a true mystic and majestic sound in the swirling cinematic music found on the releases. Owl Splinters sounds much more gloomy and horror-inspired which is why I compared it to Svarte Greiner (which I'm not a fan of by the way). If you found this release lacking as I did, then I would suggest you check out Nest (Otto's project). It sounds much more in the universe of Deaf Center's original sound then this or Svarte Greiner. I did not enjoy this release very much.