[mn033]
Cisfinitum
Tactio

1. I [ mp3 excerpt ]
2. II
3. III [ mp3 excerpt ]
4. IV [ mp3 excerpt ]
5. V
6. VI
7. VII

Total time: 46:40 min
Format: CD, digipak, 500 copies
Release date: March 05, 2008
Price: $14

With a parsimonious discography mostly released on seasoned Russian labels such as Waystyx, Ewers Tonkunst and Monochrome Vision, Evgeny Voronovsky has established himself as a uniquely engaging artist in the country's current ambient scene. Under the name of Cisfinitum, he has taken a syncretic approach to an often codified genre, uniting his formal training as a violinist at the Moscow State University with his affinity for concrete sounds and experimental structures. Past releases have shown a capacity to synthesize these factors at times while emphasizing the contrasts between them at others, sometimes over the course of a single track. In this aspect, this album follows the tradition faithfully.

Tactio is the live recording of a Cisfinitum concert at the St. Petri Dom (St. Peter's Cathedral) in Bremen, on November 24, 2005. The particular (and as expected highly favorable) acoustics of this environment were consistently used not only as an enhancing effect but as an integral foundation for the performance, making it unmistakably tied to its context. Presented in the form of six continuous tracks, the album is a contemplative composition of vibrant drones, reverberating bells and synthesized resonance, gracefully evolving from the celestial tones of its start to the tellurian pulses of its climax. This is a piece of work that is elaborate in its simplicity, and it's with much appreciation that it is presented here today. The beautiful iconic artwork by Evgeny Kuprienko further emphasizes the relic-like qualities of this recording.

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Vital Weekly (by Frans de Waard, April 22, 2008)

One of Russia's older forces of all things dark, ambient and at times a bit industrial is the work of Evgeny Voronovsky, who goes by the name of Cisfinitum. He has released his music on Monochrome Vision, Waystyx, Ewers Tonkunst and Drone Records. In November 2005 he played a concert in Bremen in the St. Petri Dom and the recording here presents his music, using both the acoustic environment of the church as well a direct recording of the music. Cisfinitum's music is a blend of synthesized drone / ambient sounds much along the lines of say Lustmord. But to top things of Cisfinitum adds a blend of pulsating sounds, which over the course of the concert becomes to live. First, half way through as church bells but towards the end things are almost minimal techno like pulsating, with a fat drone like synthesizer still heavily in control of the mood. On tape there is the addition also of a baroque violin (an instrument which Evgeny is formally trained in), but that is stretched out to an extent that they fit the drone like capacities of the rest. The six pieces flow into each other and form one long piece, which is, I must admit, nothing new under the ambient drone sun, but Cisfinitum's work can easily meet the best in the genre, and is one of Russia's biggest talents.

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Musique Machine (by Roger Batty, June 01, 2008)

Cisfinitum is a project of Russian musician and composer Evgueny Voronovsky that's been in existence since 1999- he creates a sound best described as a mix of ambience, industrial and electro-acoustic soundscapes. Tactio was recorded live in an ancient Roman cathedral and offers up seven numbered pieces that utilize Baroque violin, bell sounds, electronics and the acoustics of the cathedral itself to create a sometimes beautiful but often ominous & dense sound world.

The front cover features a drawing of an alien-looking pope figure on a throne which is most fitting as this often feels like you're visiting a vast cathedral on another world that's half organic and half alien built. Its vast towering walls shifting flesh-like as you move though the body of the building, the vast chambers, corridors and main places of worship often clouded on the lower levels by green smog.

Voronovsky manipulates and stretches the bell and violin tones into deep spiritual sound-soups that he lets bob and swell around the cathedral's harmonic structure - moving through drone textures, rhythmic textured tone elements and deep sonic expanses of sound. It really must have been very impressive in its original live form, I can imagine some of the tones carrying right through you. Though it's split into seven separate pieces each track flows, grows, sinks or rises into each other meaning this works well as one long near on 50 minute track.

Throughout Tactio Voronovsky manages to create an impressive alien yet spiritual and often vast sounding atmosphere that nicely shifts and morphs throughout its sonic life from deep drone craft, to rhythmic and dense work-outs, to meshed bell tapestry.

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Guts of Darkness (by Wotzenknecht, June 04, 2008)

'Tactio' se conçoit comme un long recueillement découpé en chapitres enregistrés d'une traite lors d'une performance dans des conditions acoustiques propices à la méditation religieuse. Perdus dans de longues réverbérations, les volutes langoureux laissent place à une procession de cloches puis à des instants de plus en plus abstraits qui à l'instar de Jarl ('IV') nous noient dans des vibrations qui ne répondent qu'à elles-même. Parfois le voyage noie l'auditeur dans des espaces confinés et paradoxalement démesurés (la 'V' rappelant un Raison d'être) pour finir dans des vibrations turbulentes et quasi-cosmiques proches d'Inade ('VI') terminant ainsi un voyage unidirectionnel mais non moins immersif. Et lorsque les applaudissements brisent le silence (intelligemment dissociés du reste sur une autre piste), le même doute surgit qu'après l'écoute d'un 'V' de Merzbow & Pan Sonic ou, plus proche, après l'écoute d'un 'Contraceptive Briefcase II' de Deathprod : sommes-nous encore dans le public ; voire, sommes nous encore sur Terre ?

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Judas Kiss (by Lee Powell, June 29, 2008)

'Tactio' was recorded live in St Petri Dom (tr. St. Peter's Cathedral) in Bremen on November 24 2005, by renowned Russian ambient artist Evgeny Voronovsky under the guise of Cisfinitum (which I suppose is a little easier to say - well, sort of). This performance was part of the Reiche Elektronische festival that was held in this north-western German city by Drone Records.

As Cisfinitum, Voronovsky is able to touch on the more shadowy aspects of his work and expand them into thickly textured drones and soundscapes that fall very nicely into the dark ambient genre. Utilising the acoustics of the cathedral, Cisfinitum produces an array of compositions which are brilliantly constructed and presented. They flow into one another to create a constantly evolving singular entity, whilst managing to keep the listener's interest with their captivating ambience and a dark, concrete presence which on occasion seems to take on an almost organic feel. Yet the structures of sounds are firmly rooted within the bricks, wood and glass of the cathedral and the breathtaking splendour it houses.

As you may expect from the venue, 'Tactio' does have a very spiritual/religious feel to it, without being too overbearing or in your face. Its subtleties are its strength in this respect, as the compositions pay an understated respect to their surroundings. Consisting of thick structured drones, solid dark ambient soundscapes, manipulated bell tolls and occasional bursts of noise, the set of six compositions that make up this album are somewhat simplistic in their structure. However, they deliver exactly what they need to without losing the listener's attention or becoming overly repetitive. It's the kind of recording where you need to sit back, dim the lights and just absorb its ambience, structures and presence, which although dark, occasionally noisy and cold is still immensely accessible and very inviting.

The majority of the album takes a similar form, with waves of sounds being layered onto one another to build compellingly dark sound structures. However, on the final track (if you ignore the audience applause which fills the CD's actual last track) things are kicked up a notch, with the inclusion of rhythmic beats which add a more power noise a la Ant-Zen feel to the proceedings. The sounds crescendo towards echoes of noise, as the distorted beats and layered soundscapes produce an infectious cacophony that thunders around their surroundings. Then as quickly as it appeared, the beat moves back into the shadows before the album draws to a close.

Aside from this final track, the album shares similarities to the more dark ambient structures that Current 93 produced on the likes of 'Dawn' in terms of its layered, darkened soundscapes and religious touches. 'Tactio' was a surprisingly enjoyable listen which has enough presence and quality to keep any fan of dark ambient easily engrossed throughout, and as such is definitely worthy of your time and investigations. Housed in a beautifully designed digipack, 'Tactio' is a dark ambient joy from start to finish and one most deserving of a space in that collection of yours.

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Evening of Light (by O.S., July 27, 2008)

Russian dark ambient project Cisfinitum is a new name for me, as is the Mechanoise label, but this excellent release will surely help me remember them for the future. Tactio was recorded live in the St. Petri Dom cathedral in Bremen, and although being there must have been an even better experience, this live registration captures a great atmosphere.

Tactio is made up one 45-minute set divided into six movements and a closing outro of applause. It starts off with calm melodic waves, probably created with manipulated violin. Added to this are the usual trappings (effects and sounds) of dark ambient. In the later movements, Evgeny Voronovski, the man behind the project, starts utilizing church bells to great effect, creating drones, loops, and melodies. The last movement, finally, twists everything into a brilliant hypnotic rhythm.

All through the album, an abstract, mystical or even religious atmosphere is achieved and combined with skilled presentation and misty sound; the result is marvelous.

This one's highly recommended to dark ambient and drone enthusiasts. References to artists like Troum, Raison d'Être, and Psychic Space Invasion are certainly not out of place, and who knows, Cisfinitum itself might become a touchstone for the genre in the future.

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