{"id":381,"date":"2026-03-03T21:11:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/?p=381"},"modified":"2026-03-03T21:11:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:11:12","slug":"2025-08-06-mlwz-review-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/?p=381","title":{"rendered":"2025-08-06 – MLWZ (Review 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

https:\/\/mlwz.pl\/recenzje\/plyty\/28041-ambient-den-ambient-den-2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Translation:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

06\/08\/2025
Rysiek Puciato<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever I receive a CD from Australia, I always rub my hands together and eagerly await the sounds it contains, what will happen next. Perhaps in Australia’s case, it’s the so-called remoteness, perhaps its location in the Antipodes, far from mainstream trends, that makes the work of bands from this country resonate with me in a way I don’t fully understand, providing a wealth of musical experiences. Although, one could say: what remoteness? In the age of the internet, telephones, television? After all, one click and space and time disappear. But let’s get back to the album that just landed on my player. It’s a debut, although the band members aren’t exactly newcomers. This album is a result of the Covid lockdown, as that’s when the idea for its recording arose. Finally, it’s an album that brings six tracks that should satisfy any fan of music inspired by the 1970s, full of guitars and organs, and played in (permit me to use a somewhat unfortunate term) a classic progressive style. In addition, it is an album full of wonderful and captivating melodies and songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let’s start with the creators of this release. They are three Australian musicians: Ben Craven (author of such solo albums as “Monsters From The Id,” “Great & Terrible Potions,” and “Last Chance To Hear ,” and a member of the well-known musical project United Progressive Fraternity), Tim Bennetts (Seven Day Mask, SUB INC), and Dean Povey (Frankenfido). It all began as an intimate jam session between Craven and Bennetts and evolved into a full-fledged band project, built on a dynamic musical chemistry reminiscent of David Gilmour and Rick Wright, or Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks. These names immediately indicate the album’s musical direction, and I think they might already serve as a sort of incentive to listen to it. Let’s take a moment to address the band’s name, which is, to put it mildly, a bit incomprehensible. Ambient Den is more than just a catchphrase. It’s an anagram of the names Tim, Ben, and Dean, reflecting the unity and spontaneity that define this project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, calmly, or rather with increasing attention, we can move on to the next compositions that make up the rock-space debut album of the band Ambient Den.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Cosmic”\u2026? Absolutely, and from the very first second of the first track. “Future History, Pt. 1” is a synth-driven launch into outer space, which, in less than two minutes, makes us feel compelled to follow the next sounds and effectively prepares the listener to immediately immerse themselves in the eight-minute composition “For All Mankind.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the second track on the album begins just as cosmically as the first \u2013 with a long, almost minute-long instrumental intro, and then unfolds a story about perhaps humanity’s greatest dream \u2013 space travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c(\u2026) Towards the moon to darkened skies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To other planets where our futures lie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A force for good, a force for ill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all mankind we cannot be still<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our engines burn and light the sky<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mission launches with an eagle eye<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To win the race or fall behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“We come in peace for all mankind”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All this is wrapped in an enveloping blanket of music that creates an extraordinary atmosphere of tranquility, filled with melodic passages and captivatingly constructed guitar solos. This blend of gentle synth, organ, and guitar passages is like a rocket engine, lifting the listener higher and higher, further and further. It’s a magnificent flight in search of fulfilled dreams, unparalleled vistas, and soothing intimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The third track, “Provenance,” maintains a musical weightlessness, albeit with the help of Ben Craven’s magnificent guitar playing. The guitar seduces, transforming this six-minute instrumental into a story of a dream, a dream, a musical nirvana. And please, don’t hold back and flow with each subsequent note. Outside the windows of our spaceship, sunshine and joy can be seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c(\u2026) All we need is an earthrise in our dark skies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSummoning day from the night.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All we need is the sunrise in our dark sky. A summoning of day from night. These are the words of the chorus of the composition “Earthrise.” It’s simultaneously a dream of peace, tranquility, love, and what resonates within us, yet is often hidden beneath the veil of everyday life. It’s often difficult to admit that we really need very little for proverbial happiness. And that’s exactly what this song is. Calm, exemplary neoprogressive, a bit RPWL-esque, with an accentuated guitar and gentle vocals. Because, after all, we need so little\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And once the piano and epic guitar solos that conclude “Earthside” fade in, the instrumental tale of “Terraforming” begins. And if this album hasn’t won you over yet, this sixteen-minute instrumental composition will simply put you on the edge of your seat, making you want to embark on the journey offered by the musicians of Ambient Den.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m not a huge fan of instrumental music; such albums are often too wordy, not to mention tedious, but now I think I’ll have to reevaluate that opinion. Acoustic guitar, organ, and an electric guitar solo, like an invitation to a cosmic journey, tug at the heartstrings and draw you to the stars. Dean Povey enchants with his playing of all kinds of keyboards. It doesn’t matter whether it’s piano, organ (of which there are plenty here), or electric piano\u2026 The keyboards are captivating, creating a 1970s atmosphere, blended with an ongoing cosmic journey beyond time and space, with an uninterrupted, swaying atmosphere. This composition is a wonderful example of the instrumental prowess of all the band members. And if you also hear some sounds from Pink Floyd’s psychedelic phase, that’s a good thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The album is held together like a clasp by the song “Future History, Pt. 2”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c(\u2026) Let them think what they will<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’ve got a whole blank starscape to fill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s made for you and me<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our future history<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let them think what they want. We have a whole void in the cosmic space to fill. This is the album’s conclusion. We have our own plan and our own tasks to fulfill \u2013 that’s the content of this track, which should please those who enjoy the style of 1970s music. Here we have slightly orchestral-sounding improvisations and wonderful organ playing, and it’s all played in a truly jammy way, with zest and uninhibited instrumental freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The album also includes four bonus tracks. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say: four songs in radio edit versions (with a small exception \u2013 the song “Provenance” is not released in radio edit), shortened, condensed\u2026 perfect for playing as radio hits. No, they don’t sound worse than their longer predecessors. Anyway, please be tempted and listen to them, and the entire album, for yourself. You’ll like it. In fact\u2026 This could be a serious contender for best debut of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Original:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

06.08.2025
Rysiek Puciato<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Je\u017celi dociera do mnie jaka\u015b p\u0142yta z Australii, to zawsze zacieram r\u0119ce i czekam z ut\u0119sknieniem na to, jakie d\u017awi\u0119ki zawiera, co si\u0119 b\u0119dzie dzia\u0142o. Mo\u017ce w przypadku Australii dzia\u0142a tzw. oddalenie, mo\u017ce usytuowanie na Antypodach, z dala od mainstreamowych nurt\u00f3w sprawia, \u017ce tw\u00f3rczo\u015b\u0107 zespo\u0142\u00f3w z tego kraju w nie do ko\u0144ca zrozumia\u0142y spos\u00f3b na mnie dzia\u0142a dostarczaj\u0105c wielu muzycznych wra\u017ce\u0144. Cho\u0107 przecie\u017c mo\u017cna powiedzie\u0107: jakie oddalenie?\u2026 W epoce internetu, telefonii, telewizji? Przecie\u017c wystarczy jeden klik i znika przestrze\u0144, znikaj\u0105 r\u00f3\u017cnice czasowe. Ale wracajmy do p\u0142yty, kt\u00f3ra w\u0142a\u015bnie zago\u015bci\u0142a w moim odtwarzaczu. To debiut, cho\u0107 cz\u0142onkowie zespo\u0142u debiutantami nie s\u0105. To album b\u0119d\u0105cy efektem covidowego lockdownu, bowiem w tym w\u0142a\u015bnie czasie powsta\u0142a idea jego nagrania. To wreszcie album, kt\u00f3ry przynosi sze\u015b\u0107 utwor\u00f3w, kt\u00f3re powinny zadowoli\u0107 ka\u017cdego fana muzyki czerpi\u0105cej inspiracje z lat siedemdziesi\u0105tych, pe\u0142nej gitar i organ\u00f3w i zagranej w (pozwol\u0119 sobie tu u\u017cy\u0107 nieco niefortunnego okre\u015blenia) w klasyczny progresywny spos\u00f3b. Do tego jest to album pe\u0142en wspania\u0142ych i porywaj\u0105cych melodii i piosenek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ale mo\u017ce zacznijmy od tw\u00f3rc\u00f3w tego wydawnictwa. To tr\u00f3jka australijskich muzyk\u00f3w: Ben Craven (autor takich album\u00f3w solowych, jak: \u201eMonsters From The Id\u201d, \u201eGreat & Terrible Potions\u201d, \u201eLast Chance To Hear\u201d, uczestnik wszystkim dobrze znanego projektu muzycznego – United Progressive Fraternity), Tim Bennetts (Seven Day Mask, SUB INC) i Dean Povey (Frankenfido). Wszystko zacz\u0119\u0142o si\u0119 jako kameralne jam session Cravena i Bennettsa i przerodzi\u0142o si\u0119 w pe\u0142noprawny projekt zespo\u0142owy, zbudowany na dynamicznej muzycznej chemii przywodz\u0105cej na my\u015bl Davida Gilmoura i Ricka Wrighta czy Mike’a Rutherforda i Tony’ego Banksa. Wymienione nazwiska od razu wskazuj\u0105 na muzyczny kierunek p\u0142yty i my\u015bl\u0119, \u017ce mog\u0105 ju\u017c stanowi\u0107 pewn\u0105 form\u0119 zach\u0119ty do jej przes\u0142uchania. Rozprawmy si\u0119 jeszcze przez moment z nazw\u0105 zespo\u0142u, kt\u00f3ra jest, co by nie powiedzie\u0107, troch\u0119 niezrozumia\u0142a. Ambient Den \u2013 to co\u015b wi\u0119cej ni\u017c tylko zwyk\u0142a fraza. To anagram imion Tim, Ben i Dean, odzwierciedlaj\u0105cy jedno\u015b\u0107 i spontaniczno\u015b\u0107, kt\u00f3re definiuj\u0105 ten projekt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I teraz ju\u017c w spokoju lub raczej z rosn\u0105c\u0105 uwag\u0105 mo\u017cna przej\u015b\u0107 do kolejnych kompozycji, kt\u00f3re tworz\u0105 rockowo-kosmiczny debiutancki album grupy Ambient Den.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eKosmiczny\u201d\u2026? Jak najbardziej, i to od pierwszej sekundy pierwszego utworu. \u201eFuture History, Pt. 1\u201d to syntezatorowy start w kosmiczn\u0105 przestrze\u0144, kt\u00f3ry przez niespe\u0142na dwie minuty sprawi, \u017ce poczujemy konieczno\u015b\u0107 pod\u0105\u017cenia za kolejnymi d\u017awi\u0119kami i sprawnie przygotowuje s\u0142uchacza do natychmiastowego zas\u0142uchania si\u0119 w o\u015bmiominutow\u0105 kompozycj\u0119 pt. \u201eFor All Mankind\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bo drugi utw\u00f3r z p\u0142yty rozpoczyna si\u0119 r\u00f3wnie kosmicznie jak pierwszy \u2013 d\u0142ugim. niemal minutowym instrumentalnym wst\u0119pem, a potem toczy si\u0119 opowie\u015b\u0107 o chyba najwi\u0119kszym marzeniu ludzko\u015bci \u2013 podr\u00f3\u017cach kosmicznych.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e(\u2026) Towards the moon to darkened skies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To other planets where our futures lie<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A force for good, a force for ill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all mankind we cannot be still<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our engines burn and light the sky<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The mission launches with an eagle eye<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To win the race or fall behind<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We come in peace for all mankind\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A wszystko to w otulaj\u0105cym kombinezonie muzyki, kt\u00f3ra tworzy niezwyk\u0142\u0105 atmosfer\u0119 spokoju pe\u0142nego melodyjnych pasa\u017cy i gitarowych sol\u00f3wek o urzekaj\u0105cej konstrukcji. Ten miks \u0142agodnych syntezatorowo-organowych pasa\u017cy i gitar jest niczym silnik rakiety, kt\u00f3ry wznosi s\u0142uchacza coraz wy\u017cej i wy\u017cej, coraz dalej i dalej. To wspania\u0142y lot w poszukiwaniu spe\u0142nionych marze\u0144, niedo\u015bcig\u0142ych widok\u00f3w i koj\u0105cej intymno\u015bci.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trzeci z utwor\u00f3w \u2013 \u201eProvenance\u201d – utrzymuje nas w stanie muzycznej niewa\u017cko\u015bci, cho\u0107 czyni to za pomoc\u0105 wspania\u0142ej gry na gitarze przez Ben Cravena. Gitara uwodzi zamieniaj\u0105c ten instrumentalny, sze\u015bciominutowy utw\u00f3r w opowie\u015b\u0107 o marzeniu, \u015bnie, muzycznej nirwanie. I tylko prosz\u0119 si\u0119 nie powstrzymywa\u0107 i p\u0142yn\u0105\u0107 wraz z ka\u017cdym kolejnym d\u017awi\u0119kiem. Za oknami naszego kosmicznego pojazdu wida\u0107 s\u0142o\u0144ce i rado\u015b\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e(\u2026) All we need is an earthrise in our dark skies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summoning day from the night\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wszystko czego potrzebujemy to wsch\u00f3d Ziemi na naszym ciemnym niebie. Przywo\u0142anie dnia z nocy. To s\u0142owa refrenu kompozycji pt. \u201eEarthrise\u201d. To zarazem marzenie o spokoju, pokoju, mi\u0142o\u015bci i tym, co nam w duszy gra, a co cz\u0119sto skrywa si\u0119 pod zas\u0142on\u0105 codzienno\u015bci. Cz\u0119sto trudno si\u0119 przyzna\u0107 do tego, \u017ce potrzeba nam tak naprawd\u0119 niewiele do przys\u0142owiowego szcz\u0119\u015bcia. I taki jest ten utw\u00f3r. Spokojny, modelowo neoprogresywny, nieco RPWL-owski z podkre\u015blon\u0105 gr\u0105 gitary i \u0142agodnym wokalem. Bo przecie\u017c tak niewiele potrzebujemy\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I gdy ju\u017c wybrzmi fortepian i epickie sola gitary ko\u0144cz\u0105ce utw\u00f3r \u201eEarthside\u201d zaczyna si\u0119 instrumentalna opowie\u015b\u0107 pt. \u201eTerraforming\u201d. I je\u015bli dotychczas ta p\u0142yta nie przekona\u0142a Pa\u0144stwa do siebie, to ta instrumentalna szesnastominutowa kompozycja po prostu wci\u015bnie Was w fotel i zechcecie bezwarunkowo ruszy\u0107 w oferowan\u0105 przez muzyk\u00f3w z zespo\u0142u Ambient Den podr\u00f3\u017c.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nie jestem zbytnim zwolennikiem muzyki instrumentalnej, cz\u0119sto takie albumy s\u0105 zbyt rozwlek\u0142e \u017ceby nie powiedzie\u0107 nu\u017c\u0105ce, ale teraz chyba b\u0119d\u0119 musia\u0142 przewarto\u015bciowa\u0107 t\u0105 moj\u0105 opini\u0119. Gitara akustyczna, organy i wkraczaj\u0105ce niczym zaproszenie do wyj\u015bcia w kosmiczn\u0105 przestrze\u0144 solo gitary elektrycznej \u0142api\u0105 za serce i ci\u0105gn\u0105 do gwiazd. Dean Povey czaruje swoj\u0105 gr\u0105 na wszelkiego rodzaju klawiszach. Nie ma znaczenia czy jest to fortepian, organy (kt\u00f3rych jest tu bardzo du\u017co) czy fortepian elektryczny\u2026 Klawisze czaruj\u0105 i tworz\u0105 atmosfer\u0119 lat siedemdziesi\u0105tych pomieszan\u0105 z trwaj\u0105c\u0105 kosmiczn\u0105 podr\u00f3\u017c\u0105 poza czasem, i przestrzeni\u0105 z niemo\u017cliw\u0105 do przerwania ko\u0142ysz\u0105c\u0105 atmosfer\u0105. Ta kompozycja to wspania\u0142y przyk\u0142ad sprawno\u015bci instrumentalnej wszystkich cz\u0142onk\u00f3w zespo\u0142u. I je\u015bli kto\u015b wys\u0142yszy tu tak\u017ce nieco d\u017awi\u0119k\u00f3w z psychodelicznej fazy zespo\u0142u Pink Floyd to bardzo dobrze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P\u0142yt\u0119 spina niczym klamra utw\u00f3r \u2013 \u201eFuture History, Pt. 2\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201e(\u2026) Let them think what they will<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve got a whole blank starscape to fill<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s made for you and me<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our future history\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Niech sobie my\u015bl\u0105 co chc\u0105. Mamy do wype\u0142nienia ca\u0142\u0105 pustk\u0119 w przestrzeni gwiezdnej. To zako\u0144czenie p\u0142yty. Mamy sw\u00f3j plan i swoje zadania do wype\u0142nienia \u2013 tak brzmi tre\u015b\u0107 tego utworu, kt\u00f3ry powinien zadowoli\u0107 osoby, kt\u00f3re lubi\u0105 spos\u00f3b grania z lat siedemdziesi\u0105tych. Mamy tutaj i lekko orkiestrowo brzmi\u0105ce improwizacje, i wspania\u0142\u0105 gr\u0119 organ\u00f3w i to wszystko zagrane jest w i\u015bcie jammuj\u0105cy spos\u00f3b. Ze swad\u0105 i nieskr\u0119powan\u0105 instrumentaln\u0105 swobod\u0105.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Album zawiera te\u017c cztery utwory bonusowe. Cho\u0107 raczej trzeba by by\u0142o powiedzie\u0107: cztery utwory w wersji radio edit (z ma\u0142ym wyj\u0105tkiem \u2013 piosenka \u201eProvenance\u201d nie jest wydana w wersji radio edit), skr\u00f3cone, skondensowane\u2026, takie w sam raz do zagrania jako radiowe hity. Nie, nie brzmi\u0105 gorzej od ich d\u0142u\u017cszych pierwowzor\u00f3w. Zreszt\u0105 prosz\u0119 skusi\u0107 si\u0119 i pos\u0142ucha\u0107 ich, a tak\u017ce ca\u0142ej p\u0142yty samemu. B\u0119dzie si\u0119 podoba\u0107. Ba\u2026 To mo\u017ce by\u0107 powa\u017cny kandydat do najlepszego debiutu tego roku.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

https:\/\/mlwz.pl\/recenzje\/plyty\/28041-ambient-den-ambient-den-2 Translation: 06\/08\/2025Rysiek Puciato Whenever I receive a CD from Australia, I always rub my hands together and eagerly await the sounds it contains, what will happen next. Perhaps in Australia’s case, it’s the so-called remoteness, perhaps its location in the Antipodes, far from mainstream trends, that makes the work of bands from this country… Read More »2025-08-06 – MLWZ (Review 2)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":382,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=381"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/381\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":383,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/381\/revisions\/383"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/382"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ambientden.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}