[releases] afe110lcd
cisfinitum: nevmenosis

Track List:

1.  Nevmenosis  17:45

2.  Hermine  8:37

3.  Dissolutio  10:14

4.  Moscow 30  6:18

5.  Galene  10:24

6.  Oskolok  2:30

Description:

Cisfinitum is a prominent post-industrial project from Moscow, Russia. It was started in the late 90s by composer and musician Eugene Voronovsky, and since then has drawn significant attention as one of the most uncommon and distinctive acts of the national experimental scene.

Cisfinitum has a very specific emotional style lying within the boundaries of drone ambient and noise.

Eugene Voronovsky has graduated from the Moscow State Conservatory as a professional violinist. In his music he uses classical instruments such as violin, piano and percussions, along with sounds traditionally considered "non-musical". All sources are subjected to processing, both Soviet analog tools and modern digital technologies are used.

"Cisfinitum is the sound of eternity. I've always wanted to create the music of Russian cosmos, music capable of expressing information about Russia that is impossible to reveal by means of words. They call this 'drone' overseas, but I prefer to define it 'metaphysical ambient'", claims Eugene.

Cisfinitum has released a lot of material during the years, among his full-length works we'd like to mention "Landschaft", "V", "Bezdna", "Coniunctio", "Malgyl", "Music of Light" and "Mental Travellers" issued on labels such as Entity, Insofar Vapour Bulk, Waystyx, Ewers Tonkunst, Monochrome Vision, etc.

The project has also performed live in various parts of the world and took part in many festivals along with other artists of the modern experimental scene. One of the latest Cisfinitum's works is a collaboration with Rapoon.

"Nevmenosis" is a collection of tracks composed by Eugene Voronovsky between 2001 and 2007 which were remastered by Andrea Marutti of Afe Records on purpose of this release.

Some of them ("Dissolutio", "Moscow 30", "Galene" and "Oskolok") already appeared on compilations published by Ewers Tonkunst, Monochrome Vision and EE Tapes.

The long title track "Nevmenosis" and the shorter "Hermine" are unreleased tracks which are published here for the first time. Contributing members for these tracks were also E. Soloviev, Roman Sidorov (Staruha Mha) and Richardas Norvila (Benzo).

Artwork for the album is based on pictures taken by Russian photographer/artist Vespa_crabro and is a fine addition to the music.


Reviews:

"Cisfinitum sound sits in a wonderful place between chorale and classical based ambience, subtle industrial and electronica elements to make music that's both haunting and beautiful yet at times edgy and head swimming - but it's always captivating and deeply atmospheric. "Nevmenosis" collects together compilation and split CD tracks from various limited releases over the last few years along with two brand new tracks. But don't let the idea of a collection of odds and end put you off as each of the six tracks on offer here are as graceful, compelling and haunting as each other... Really wherever you drop down in "Nevmenosis" you'll find deeply felt, emotional and creative electronic music and ambience that will sooth, haunt and reward. Yet another rather wonderful release from the Afe label that is sadly limited to only 150 copies."
Musique Machine [more]

"Cisfinitum fans, please start reading some other interesting reviews in the drones / ambient section. By now you will already have this piece of art, so there is no need to hear from somebody else how good this artist is. You already knew, that's why you already bought it. So, go away! :-) ...you can expect deep solid emotion driven soundscapes of high quality where the experiment isn't being shuned. The perfect ingredients for music too keep you "happy" and worth listening many times. So why is "Nevmenosis" a good place to start if this all sounds appealing to you? It's mainly because this album has "a bit of everything". The first two tracks have been previously unreleased, the third track "Dissolutio" is from the collaboration with Rapoon and the final three tracks have been previously released on compilations. And without a doubt, even though they prabably all have been written in a different context - with a different concept in mind - the whole CD sounds solid and uniform. As said, concerning Cisfinitum, this is the place to start."
Gothtronic [more]

"Die Tonmalereien auf "Nevmenosis" stehen für einzelne private Lebenseindrücke des russischen Akteurs Evgeny Voronovsky, welche er uns emotional berührend mit Cisfinitum zugänglich macht und denjenigen in einer limitierten Auflage von 150 Exemplaren über Afe Records offenbart, die gepflegte Drones wie anspruchsvollen (Dark) Ambient zu schätzen wissen!"
Kultur Terrorismus [more]

"..."Nevmenosis" is surely a fine release. It's a compilation of compilation pieces plus two unreleased pieces. Dark, atmospheric, with some field recordings, such as the birds in "Hermine". Cisfinitum plays music that is best enjoyed at night, sitting in an almost dark room, to make sure you got that scary effect (or that estranged mood effect, which ever you prefer with the dark soundtrack of the night) to the full extent. Somehow I think it sounds pretty 'Russian', but it's hard to say why that is. It isn't the most original voice in dark ambient, but he does things with great care."
Vital Weekly [more]

"Del moscovita Cisfinitum abbiamo detto bene in passato ed opportuna viene "Nevmenosis", che permette di riappropriarci di brani apparsi su limitate compilazioni, sullo split con Rapoon "Mental Travellers" e di beneficiare di due inediti, tra cui l'ispirato pencolio tra cosmica elevazione e sericea ambient della title track, di oltre diciassette minuti. I recuperi di "Dissolutio", che sfuma come navicella di cui s'è perso il controllo remoto in distanze siderali e del timido requiem di "Oskolok" i più graditi esempi dell'equilibrio tra la formazione classica di Voronovsky e anticaglia analogica sovietica."
Blow Up [more]

"Voronovsky describes his music as 'metaphysical ambient', a description which may not be that off the mark if one is to judge by this release. Throughout "Nevmenosis", Cisfinitum manages to convey a feeling of timelessness and distance, showing the listener hints of a greater whole and different perspectives which could not be described in any other way but through music. His sound compositions are frequently reverie inducing, almost seeming to lightly brush the listener's subconscious, touching on a deeply buried awareness and comprehension. This is especially felt in longer pieces (like the introductory title track and "Galene"), where the artist seems to allow more subtlety to the ebb and flow of the sound elements... "Nevmenosis" is easily one of the most outstanding releases from Afe Records that I've had the opportunity to experience and doubtlessly an excellent introduction to the work of a Russian artist that deserves more recognition..."
Connexion Bizarre [more]

"...Verrebbe da utilizzare una locuzione precotta come "di ottima fattura" per l'ambient di Eugene, ma davvero riesce difficile definire in maniera più onesta queste tracce dall'ampissimo respiro, capaci di essere soavi ed eteree come buie e inquietanti. L'arsenale a disposizione del musicista sono strumenti classici, il cui suono viene trattato e dilatato, field recordings e sintetizzatori, di cui alcuni analogici e di provenienza russa, tanto per regalare al suono di alcuni frangenti una coloritura insolita, un po' vintage e "spaziale", basta dare un ascolto alla title-track, a "Galene" e a "Dissolutio", una delle migliori del lotto, celestiale come certo Steve Roach. Non male nemmeno il senso di vuoto che a un tratto trasmette "Moscow", molto simile a quello di Caul, e la breve chiusura "Oskolok", il pezzo più suonato e meno drone, una specie di versione russa di Jarre. Consigliato."
Audiodrome [more]

"...Eugene's music is very expansive, comprehensive and deep. He prefers the term "metaphysical ambient" over "drone ambient" and I cannot see any reason to oppose that - it doesn't seem to be the drone ambient in the way we may imagine it. It is something more and something else. It is indeed metaphysical, staying beyond the borders of this world. Being beyond the usual understanding, it lies within another universe, a universe of thoughts and ideas. It is beyond such concepts as light and darkness, much more complicated, much more cosmic, very "picturesque" and at the same time free from imposing images on the audience. I believe this music gives you some vision, some idea, which your mind starts evolving into something else..."
Heathen Harvest [more]