OLIWA: “Ocean Fire”

Buenos Aires’ OLIWA recently released an album called Rituals, and from listening to his music, we can assume said ceremonies are a celebration of the multiplicity of possibilities inherent in movement (be it physically moving from place to place or dealing with what’s percolating inside one’s self). “Ocean Fire” is a composition of balance instrumentally, but imbalanced thematically. Terrifyingly apocalyptic, pulsing music like this is likely to cause sleepless nights, dear readers, so be warned before you wade out. The simple intensity of this five and a half minute audio picture is spectacular. By the time one of the lead synth lines becomes more buzzing electrical fire than smoldering drone, we’re done – we’re finished and gone.

The album as a whole is most definitely a South American trip. OLIWA refers to explorer and scientist Charles Wiener, who almost re-discovered the ruins at Machu Picchu in the late 1800s, and is on the second tune of the set, “Charles Wiener’s Dreams.” From the internal memory games of a personal bon voyage like the opening synth rolls of “The Last Summer Night,” to launching one’s journey, and finally to reaching a geographic landing point (“Tierra Del Fuego”), Rituals is a travelogue and a damn fine score.

Rituals is out now on cassette and for name your own price download from Zeon Light

Written by Jeff Daily