Lumen Drones - Umbra
by Keith How
published: 24 / 12 / 2019
Label:
Hubro Music
Format: CD
intro
Satisfying second album from Scandinavian trio Lumen Drones which proves to be an inventive collection of recordings that defies categorisation
Lumen Drones consist of Nils Okland (fiddles), Per Steinar Lie (guitars) and Orjan Haarland (drums). The trio released a stunning self-titled debut album on the highly acclaimed ECM label in 2014. The original album consisted of eight tracks of improvised drones that resulted in this groundbreaking release. Lumen Drones reappear, this time on the Hubro label, with a new album ‘Umbra’ which finds the trio taking their original idea a step forward with nine new compositions. Often revolving around the haunting and sometimes wild sound of Okland’s fiddle. the trio find a way to blur the boundaries between a traditional folk sound and post rock experimentation. Opening with the reflective and hypnotic ‘Inneang’, Oakland’s fiddle sends out that powerful and unmistakable Norwegian sound. ‘Droneslag’ reveals how the trio appear to have expanded in confidence since the first album. Edgy and jagged, this drone brings a sense of the inhospitable frozen north as the menacing violin leads with a pulsating one note drone, while the percussive tones roll around like thunder in distant mountains. Stienar’s guitar adds scratchy lines across the mix introducing a contemporary post rock feel. Heady stuff! In equal measure the title track is a beautiful and fragile melody with sensitive percussion and violin working in harmony and bringing a sense of peace. ‘Avalanche in A Minor’ further cements the trio’s unified stance, improvising a blurry epic landscape drone with a perfect combination of their talents. This nine track album, in essence, is steeped in a hypnotic, atmospheric vibe that almost defies categorisation. The three band members have wide experience in the Norwegian experimental and avant-garde scene and their ability to seamlessly interact with each other is testament to their empathy and creative spirits. A truly fine instrumental record that demands the repeat button!
Track Listing:-
1 Inngang2 Glør
3 Droneslag
4 Gorrlaus slått
5 Umbra
6 Avalanche in A minor
7 Speil
8 Etnir
9 Under djupet
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
most viewed reviews
current edition
Marika Hackman - Big SighSerious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning Dew
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart