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Dirk Serries — Curves of Splendor
(Projekt ARC404, 2026, DL)

by Peter Thelen, Published 2026-11-04

Curves of Splendor Cover art

The four long-form ambient tracks that make up Curves of Splendor total just shy of 70 minutes, but offer a glimpse into a complex dreamworld created with multiple layers of electric guitars, loops, and an array of effects. Its complexity lies in the multiple layers of smooth rolling waves of tone and timbre that all work together while having a calming effect on the listener; there are no jagged edges or harsh elements here, only swirling ribbons of color and existential beauty, beaming in like sunlight in the morning and dripping down off the walls, serving as an elemental adoption of shimmering sonic beauty in its most basic form. Serries has long been a master of this craft, both in its dark and raw industrial imagery as well as its powerful pacific nature, the latter which this collection comes closest to. Not exactly a title track, but “A Curve of Splendor” seems to encapsulate that rolling, gentle power that swirls through the spirit and lifts the listener’s energies up to a higher plane, circling back through repeated loops that are juxtaposed in a sphere of sonic awareness. Opener “Destination Rewind” enters slowly and gently, one loop at a time, eventually closing into a complete soundworld, with even some beautiful, subtle choral effects applied to some of the guitar loops. Surrounding the listener in a gentle fog, “Slowly Wired” enters slowly but persistently, pulling one through sonic canyons and plateaus as looping ideas flow freely and overlap one another in random time, making for a most wonder-filled, consciousness-expanding experience. Then there’s the long one at the end, 33 minutes of “Oblivion Serenade” slowly transports one to a elevated, tranquil plane as textures weave in and out of earshot and illuminate the path to follow. Nothing abrasive, nothing dark, nothing disturbing, just peace.

Filed under: New releases, 2026 releases

Related artist(s): Dirk Serries / Vidna Obmana / Fear Falls Burning

More info
http://projektrecords.bandcamp.com/album/curves-of-splendor

 

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