Eclectic Earwig Reviews - Review by John W. Patterson
(October 2000)

THE SPECTRAL SHIPS
Richard Bone

      This is a class of ultra-noir ambience yet divided into 9 unique compositions. One might think Eno listening to this but not quite, a sampled voice speaks causing Bill Nelson to come to mind yet again - not really.

      Next piece and I envision sonar blips, scuba divers, and an old submarine flick. Then schizo voices go abuzzing with assorted metallic titterings augmenting the spectrum. This is complex, somber, dark but curiously relaxing.

      The way Bone weaves so many akilter textures and shadings into a cohesive whole of H. R. Gigerian beauty is difficult to imagine even being possible.

      He does it over and over. Be it alien wind-storms or flocks of Lovecraftian night gaunts sailing overhead, their mournful cries drifting down from jet-black skies - Bone does it all.

      This is not dinner music nor is it recommended to anyone low on PROZAC. Darknesses ineffable and distorted despairs slither  amongst ruins of soundworlds. Bleached Bone scatters the smoldering remains. Echoes of the Underworld? A Stygian muse? Yea verily, I pronounce this Goth-Ambience, an Enoesque Music for Films #666. Visit dead planets, forbidden realms of occultic tomes' openings.

      On track 8, "astrea", a slight bit of noir-space music bleeds through yet holds forth more complexity and denseness than any of Serrie's works. "ephemera" wanders into the final void, voice samples for an OOBE and pathways into dark forests of mystery cult. A nod here to Nelson and Skinny Puppy? While Enoscapes of piano meander, loops, flanged and phased synths and echoes bring the end to this amazingly creepy journey.

      If you enjoyed David Storr's Invaders from Mars soundtrack, this will feed your head much, much more. Bone has crafted a perfect descent into the Pit of Deep Nothingness; acrid, caustic, and deadly but tasting of honey and dizzying like a tainted wine. Highest recommendations! Spooky stuff.

John W. Patterson