REVIEW

The live album from Tokyo-based post-metal / doomgaze band Presence of Soul.

Recorded on July 24, 2024 at Kichijoji NEPO, this release documents an improvised noise and dark ambient performance by a three-piece lineup: Yuki (vocals, synthesizers, noise), Yoshi (guitar), and Takurow (bass). Despite the common assumption that dark ambient equates to something merely “dark and dull,” this set unfolds as a surprisingly expansive experience—an approximately 30-minute journey that feels closer to drifting through a blackened cosmos.

#1 “Silent” reveals a delicate, melodic side of Presence of Soul through a meditative post-rock framework. Against a backdrop of soft noise, poetry reading, spectral clean vocals, and layered guitars slowly merge, evoking a mysterious, star-filled galaxy. The piece balances restraint and atmosphere, allowing subtle emotional contours to surface without force.

#2 “Board the Shipwreck – Drift” shifts the tone dramatically. Anxiety-inducing, noisy guitar textures intertwine with mantra-like vocals, suggesting a darker, more corrupted counterpart to Dead Can Dance. In the latter half, distorted guitars and increasingly unhinged vocal expressions collide, culminating in an onslaught of truly menacing noise. It can be approached in multiple ways: at extreme volume for full immersion, in complete darkness with eyes closed, or even at lower levels for listeners less accustomed to harsh sound. Each perspective reveals different facets of the performance.

As a live document, the recording captures only part of the physical impact. The original performance reportedly took place in near-total darkness, with the musicians barely visible and only VJ visuals cutting through the void, creating a disorienting sensation of suspension rather than grounded presence. In particular, the bass work stands out—its sub-bass frequencies were powerful enough to transmit vibrations through the floor and into the body. While that physical force cannot be fully replicated on record, the intensity remains palpable.

This release is available exclusively on CD and will be discontinued once sold out. Purchasers can also download audio accompanied by the visuals used during the performance. With a system capable of high-volume playback, it offers an experience that comes remarkably close to the live setting. For those drawn to immersive, boundary-pushing sound, this is a document well worth securing.