Biosphere – Substrata

Timeless classic ambient album, and a great pressing to boot… flat, nearly silent sound floor that lets the recording shine through even the quietest parts.

Good pressing, quiet and clean. Although one thing I noticed is that Kobresia sounds a little bit dull compared to digital version, not as dynamic and that bass note that comes in at some point isn't as deep sounding as it should be. I am not sure why that is, it might be my setup of course. Overall though I am happy with it

Am I the only one who doesn't have separate grooves for each track? It is just a single, continuous groove, not separated into tracks.

Great album to listen to while reading Frankenstien, oddly enough.

I've been into ambient for so many years, but oddly, I didn't know much about Biosphere or its master, Geir Jennsen. This kindled my interest in the dark, brooding and beautiful world of Scandinavian ambient music. A different world than Richard D James Aphex world which I've known so well and love, especially his SAW2 record.

The track, Antennaria, struck me as being one of the most beautiful, yet haunting ambient tracks I've ever heard. Offkey vocals begin to layer into a rich plush and ominous sequence of notes, much like the background music at the end of the first half of Full Metal Jacket before that solider shoots his drill sergeant and himself with a rifle.

Poa Alpina is a repetitive track of such sorrow and beauty at the same time. Pulsating sequence of chords amidst the high polar winds of the cold Arctic. Simply stunning.

I could best compare this with TV viewing with bleak Scandinavian noir drama.

Incredible music, but my brand new copy has terrible, persistent crackle the entire side A. Sides B, C, and D are ok. A deep ultrasonic clean made no difference to side A. Hope others are more lucky than me.

Anyone know what the voice on Kobresia is saying in english?

Anybody could kindly share any clues on where the voice sample of Hyperborea comes from?

Persistent crackle for the first half of side A and frequent crackle for first 3/4 of side B which really isn't too acceptable for an album this quiet. Very very mild crackle on Side C and D but both sounds significantly better than A and B which may be due to being recut. Both records are noisy on the run in. Otherwise would be a fantastic pressing, the packaging is beautiful and the music sounds fantastic. I wonder if it is worth ing Biophon for a replacement or if they're all like this.

guys !
crunch new copy
is it all with the 2011 remaster?