VOS- Veil of Secrecy

Artist: V.O.S.
CD Title: Veil of Secrecy
Label: Triumvirate
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 9/18/05

A beautiful example of dark ambient, “Veil Of Secrecy” is the self-titled debut from the solo project of Yen Pox member Steven Hall. Starting off with the minimalist bass-heavy thrum and distant echoing gongs of “An Angel’s Last Breath,” Hall explores the low end of the register via a number of different instruments and arrangements on five extended pieces, from the industrial soundscapes of “Cold Embrace” to the eerie electrical humming and deep percussion of “Throne to the Dogs.” On “Ruling Hand of Snakes,” the piano takes the spotlight, but just one or two keys on the far left, hammered slowly with foot firmly planted on the sustain pedals and plenty of cavernous windy drones to keep it company. Album closer “Coronation of Jackals” comes the closest to conventional music; with its dark orchestral keyboards, it’s the only piece here with an easily discernible melody, albeit an achingly slow and somber one. From the deliciously evocative track titles to the eerie subtlety of Hall’s arrangements, this is some of the best ambient noise you could hope to hear outside of northern Europe.

For more information on V.O.S. and other projects related to Yen Pox, visit http://www.geocities.com/veilofsec/