Review Summary: Unsettling Beauty
The goal is to leave the listener feeling unsettled, yet comforted by knowing that you’re supposed to be feeling unsettled. It’s okay to not be okay. – Scott Krasman
Sometimes words just aren’t enough. Sometimes you just need to feel, and Scott Krasman perfectly captures that with the project Kannatama. With
Hell Debris, this unsettling feeling roots itself in the swelling synths and grainy ambience that domineers throughout. With this dark ambient style, the melody simultaneously contrasts and complements the unsettling aura.
In a way,
Hell Debris emulates the chaotic nature of the cover art. It’s something hellishly unsettling, yet it has a hint of a dreamy haze that ironically feels beautiful. With the opener, “Sear” sets the tone for the project in a powerful manner. Although a sense of beauty is present with an atmosphere full of luscious synths and smooth ambiance, one cannot neglect the ominous nature the music beholds. Throughout
Hell Debris, Kannatama straddles the line between melodic and dissonant, bordering chaos within the harmonies. “Beneath Static Fields” showcases almost twinkly melodies that swell in the ambiance, only muddled by the vibrating, grainy production overlaying the synths. This dynamic effect of beautiful harmonies encompassed by the unsettling production is prevalent throughout each track. However, some tracks feel darker than others, crafting a perfect juxtaposition of mood. Unlike the dreamier “Sleep Paralysis” and “Sear,” segments like the title track and “Unfurling” invoke a sense of panic and rush. The piercing synths strike a nerve in listeners while the overwhelming atmosphere provides a deeply rooted claustrophobic element within the ambiance.
Hell Debris can be summarized like this: beautifully unsettling chaos. There’s something hauntingly dreamy about this project that I can’t quite describe in words. It’s a feeling that captivates you through every passing moment and every swelling element. It’s not something easily captured in words, but maybe that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Maybe this feeling of being unsettled while engrossed by the melody is something that should just be experienced rather than told.
