After self-released “In Nomine Cetus” CD (June 2014 on Antara Project), French/Swedish soundpainter (poet, lyricist, singer, environmentalist, educator…) Annemarie Borg, based in London, returns with the second part of the trilogy, entitled “In Nomine Tellus” and released on Swedish gterma label during February 2018. The album is packaged in catchy 6-panel disc eco wallet featuring panoramic photography and visual art by the artist herself with the additional design by gterma’s Johan Rehn. The mastering credit, as usual with all gterma releases, goes to A.P of Ghost Sounds.
As described in the liner notes, “In Nomine Tellus” is a Tone Poem of our time in three parts. 8-plus minutes long “Quiet Storm Phase One” and 17-minute “Earth Lament” comprise the first part. Intangibly desolate drone rumbles coalesce with poignantly crescendoing and meandering cinematic piquancy before inconspicuously transmuting into monochromatically gargantuan hums softened by tiding organic tapestries. Balmily enveloping, yet monumentally majestic! Thus the title “Quiet Storm Phase One” is precisely displayed. Whale sounds and roars, field recordings, noises and Annemarie’s expressive chants announce “Earth Lament”, while backed by quietly droning expansive horizons. Stringed anxiousness arise here and there. After 8 minutes the scenario shifts into profoundly embracing orchestral sadness, which later metamorphoses into slightly calmer sceneries juxtaposed by persistently craving cascades. A very powerful sonic statement indeed! Second part counts three compositions, “Quiet Storm Phase Two”, “Masau’u” and “Avahana Timi”. The first one, “Quiet Storm Phase Two” keeps on rather tranquil route, although pervaded by gently escalating feel before evanescing through helixing quietudes. 16 minutes long “Masau’u” immerses the listener into contemplatively gliding panoptic realms meticulously reinforced by Annemarie’s exquisite vocal artistry. Aural nectar is served here!!! “Avahana Timi” amalgamates perplexing grumbles, whale calls and seashore symphony with Annemarie chanting Gayatri Mantra. The closing part includes two tracks, “Quiet Storm Phase Three” and “Pace”. Emotive yearning motifs of “Quiet Storm Phase Three” delve into unfathomable depths, while sinuous patterns keep on illuminating and seek for the vestige of guidance. The closing composition “Pace” brings to the stage cello mastery of Patrick Tapio Johnson, who has already contributed to Annemarie’s album “Iridescent Perceptions” (2012). Weeping cello curtains gorgeously commingle with evocative piano notes and tranquilly embracing location recordings. A very touching epilogue, where mournful vistas are opposed by captivating blankets of hope…
Although deep listening sessions unveiled several, mostly inaudible, glitch errors on “Earth Lament”, the sound quality is for sure satisfying and especially the use of quality headphones offers a fully rewarding journey. Nearly 75 minutes long “In Nomine Tellus” is a really strong album, hauntingly sonorous and immensely engrossing. And just the same as with its predecessor “In Nomine Cetus”, this sonic installment manifests intense messages for all of us, the whole mankind about the future of our Earth. It’s a global issue, it’s still not too late, but the countdown is certainly on… That’s “In Nomine Tellus” by Annemarie Borg, feel free to explore it, enjoy it, contribute and make the difference!!!
Richard Gürtler (Nov 21, 2018, Bratislava, Slovakia)
