When same-minded spirits, mutually-thinking brains sort of unphysically gather…
…nope, that’s not the opening sentence I am searching for. This time, it’s quite difficult for me to start this review, because, you know, I want to do more than just expressing my appreciation for this new recording, as well as for the artist behind it. I want to have the aural effort being ‘structured’ in an embodiment of respect, gratitude, recognition and comprehension, with the creator being granted for both his expressive kindness and sonic craftsmanship…
…damn, this sounds weak. Well, I’ll just skip the ‘formal’ side. You know, I have been a ‘fan’, for what it’s worth, of the Rojinski project for quite some time, since this earthling evolved into the darker and more emotive regions of Music. The earliest years were okay, yet as from a certain moment, I totally got addicted to the Aural Art this musician created. It has to do with the sonic stuff itself, of course; I will come back to this immediately. But I sort of feel a connection with the atmosphere, the message, the ‘guidance’ behind most of the more recent recordings too: thoughts about or globe’s current state; about the political and sociological accordance’s in both present and future; about the interaction of the human kind with Mother Nature at the one hand, or with some semi-synthetic, artificial commonalty in the future at the other; about stupid wars in between factitious ‘countries’ and their innocent habitants; about racism, discrimination, minority’s degradation, incomprehension and outsider-thinking’s discrimination; about… Well, I can go on, but this is not a socio-political webzine, so I will shut up right now.
No, seriously (at least for a (short) while). Rojinski’s efforts often refer to actual, realistic subjects, like the prospection of our planet, of our environment and global warming, to useless wars in between innocent people (led by arrogant and selfish leaders), to religion and its relation to life and death, to social media versus introversion, to contemporary elements of life (abuses, addictions, fantasies, relationships, you know…), and to introspective evolution about your own life after a drastic event in one’s personal life (like a heart attack)… More than once, I do understand, and feel, the message this guy tries to create via this outfit. …when the torch-light within the distant tower seems to fade, forever…
…which easily brings me to the introduction of War Of Emotions. The human being behind the Rojinski project did write and compose this album to canalize ‘a point in [his] life where [he’s] grateful for every morning that [he sees] coming out of [his] bedroom. Further quote: I don’t know how many of those mornings I have left. If I didn’t have my wife and my son, I’m not sure I’d want the sun to rise. […] I’m fighting in this war of emotions. It does explain a lot of the ideas, motivations, inspirations and persuasions behind this 999th Rojinski recording. Yet once again, for what it’s worth, I feel such connection. As a father and husband (I have the most beautiful, intriguing and dedicated wife on Mater Terra [just adding this, in case she’s reading this review afterwards]), yet being quite anti-connected with ‘people’ in general, I might have comparable, eh, ‘issues’ to the human ‘kind’, so the intention of this newest release did draw my attention once again, like a soundtrack for some parallel yet mutual universum with the creator behind it (i.e. Monsieur Rojinski). And once again, it is not the concept alone that attracts me; the aural side too, once again, accompanies me towards levels of satisfaction and commitment. It is more than fighting your demons, rather than trying to make them your friends (this quote being a remorseless-stolen and freely-impersonated interpretation from a part of this album’s concept, hehe…).
Damn, I wanted to have this a modest, concise review…just like a winter morning…
Take me in your arms at last, and guide me through eternity, where pain no longer has a name, where peace can finally envelop me…
Anyway, War Of Emotions turns out to be an eight-tracker, lasting for almost eighty (!) minutes. It comes with truly excellent cover artwork, which is AI-created. Those who do not appreciate it: [self-censorship], for it does fit to the aural content for sure. Once again, this new material might be comparable to at least some of the former recordings, yet once more it does bring new details, new specifics, new elements. And besides, War Of Emotions might be one of the most varying Rojinski-albums as well.
In the vein of the rather known approach, the main theme, speaking from the audible side, dwells around mesmerizing, floating, captivating and transcendental waves of sound-sculpturing. Getting rid of futile details, this is the essence of (Dark / Cinematic) Ambient in its purest form. But of course things go further. Hypnotizing harmonies float by, sometimes repetitive yet never dull, permanently injected by deeply rumbling drones, fragile harmonies and transcendental fragments. The better part is still based on hypnotic and exalted, enigmatic and adventurous ambience, with cinematic and horrific elements as injective elements. Monotone drones and energetic harmonies get canalized through a wall of sound-modeling, continuously intriguing, permanently expanding, inevitably uncovering. Some excerpts might even trespass the border (or inject it) with genres like Dungeon Synth (I Miss You… And You Too, also incorporating hints of Winter Synth), Electroacoustics (what about those violin-like additions in the confronting manifest Dear Humanity) or Ambient Noise Wall (Wasted Lands; mind the fine piano elegance towards the end). Or what about the title track, being a monumental expression of grim Metallic and Ambiental Drone / Black Ambient, obscure and ominous, with its martial and militant yet bleak, mesmeric approach. Actually, as from the very captivating opener Emotional Disarray, which permanently progresses in shape and ethos, it is clear that this latest Rojinski effort marks another meticulously crafted aural highlight. It is as persuasive and appeasing as it is confronting and (sur)realistic…
Another fine element is the use of some lyrics; okay, it’s very limited, yet as part of this story, they might add an important, and recognizable, feature, bringing a bitter aftertaste of loneliness. It’s confronting and realistic; poetic too. It’s partly written, by the way, by Alexei’s son, Raghast Ignotum. It gets narrated by a spoken vocal, having a warm, expressive and deep timbre. Anyway, these conceptual writings do deeply go well with the critical ideas behind this newest Rojinski epic. So remember: do not give in and follow the path that characterizes you, anytime, whoever you are (quoted once more from the visionary artist).
https://rojinski.bandcamp.com/album/war-of-emotions
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/rojinski
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/rojinski-0
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/rojinski-1
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/alphaxone-rojinski
https://www.concreteweb.be/reviews/insectarium-omensworn-rojinski