Sanctuary, the third Winterhouse collaboration, will entrance with its deep, flowing textures and rich expressive details. The five long pieces seem to engage cinematically, drawing sonic vistas and sending the listener drifting on excusions of discovery. Imagine wandering a deserted estate, darkened in the late-summer evening by overhanging trees, and threaded with meandering pathways that offer glimpses of a sprawling mansion glowing amber and golden in the failing light. What memories lie forgotten in these gardens and within those walls?

Rich drone bases overlaid with strings, grainy pads, subtle melodies, and sonic gems of many kinds.

Performed by Anthony Paul Kerby (canada) and Robert Davies (usa) using a variety of synthesisers, with occasional field recordings and processed guitar. Final compositions and mastering by APK.

Sanctuary is the 3rd album by The Winterhouse, the Canadian-US duo comprising dataObscura owner Anthony Paul Kerby (The Circular Ruins, Nunc Stans, Lammergeyer) and Robert Davies. Both of these talented and capable composers have long bodies of work via dataObscura (few via Databloem), so I am always very curious about their new co-works. Sanctuary opens with deeply mysterious and mournful slow-motion drones entitled "Secret Arrangements Part 1". As usual for all of APK's and Davies' projects, the track titles are chosen very carefully in order to precisely harmonize with the overall mood of each composition, and "Secret Arrangements" is again a perfect choice. Assorted emerging and fading away futuristic sounds don't disturb the serene surface of the washes, a truly absorbing journey into the darker terrains! This mysterious trip continues on the highly evocative "Remembrance Of Things Past", spiced by various ominous voice samples in the background and other alien and metallic sounds, hugely immersive ambience of the highest degree!!! "A Parcel Of Enigmas" spreads with deeper drones and a slightly evolving and lighter texture, but again exploring expansive panoramic landscapes. "Secret Arrangements Part 2" continues its immensely beautiful and timeless way, a sonic experience that's beyond any words, this is sound floating at The Winterhouse's best! "The Twilight Turns A Deeper Blue" traverses in the second half from its drifting obscure realm into a fairly subtle pulsing pace ... nice album closer! Sanctuary, featuring on the cover beautifully expressive colorful painting by French Post-Impressionist painter Paul Cezanne, is another terrific journey into the finest end of pure atmospheric dronescaping by these two praised and creative sound sculptors.

Richard Gürtler (Bratislava, Slovakia)

Total 67:20
Date January 2010
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