One can get a sense of some of the atmospheres in which Philippines-based ambient solo-project Statua is working just by looking at the song titles on the debut album, Celestial Bleakness. Whether it’s “Overcast,” or “Howling Wind,” “Dark Sun” or “Crawl” and “Ghost Town” — certainly “Guitar Improv” is telling as well — the record works quickly to develop an affinity for the corner spaces in atmospheric music, away from light to an extent that winds up someplace between contemplative and brooding. Switching between drums (or programming), guitar, electronics and so on, Statua — aka Samuel Fianza — offers patient and progressive, drama-filled but still relatively subdued pieces that feel born of experiments but definitely fleshed out, for the most part, in the studio. Firenza, as it happens, also recorded the album himself.

Ditto that for the prior 2014 EP, Petrichor, which you can stream and name-your-price download below. No word on a physical pressing at this time, but Celestial Bleakness is set to hit Statua‘s Bandcamp on June 20.

The following came down the PR wire for your perusal:

Statua to release debut album “Celestial Bleakness” this June

Independent experimental musician Samuel Fianza under the name Statua from Baguio City, Philippines is about to release his debut full length album entitled “Celestial Bleakness”. The album will be available on Bandcamp on June 20, 2016.

The music of Statua is hard to categorize in a specific genre but it is recommended for fans of Ulver, Sunn O))), Sigur Ros and also fans of 70’s era bands like Popol Vuh and Tangerine Dream. As the title suggests, “Celestial Bleakness” is a perfect soundtrack for the rainy season.

The album is produced independently by Samuel Fianza.

Artist: Statua
Album: Celestial Bleakness

Tracklist:
1. Overcast
2. Howling Wind
3. Crawl
4. Swarm
5. Dark Sun
6. Guitar Improv
7. Stone Sculpture
8. Ghost Town

http://statuaph.bandcamp.com
http://soundcloud.com/statuaph
http://facebook.com/statuaph

Statua, Petrichor (2014)

Tags: Baguio, Celestial Bleakness, Philippines, Statua, Statua Celestial Bleakness

This entry was posted on Friday, May 27th, 2016 at 9:24 am and is filed under Whathaveyou. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.