Steve Von Till probably needs little introduction to most Ghost Cult Magazine readers. His hugely influential work with post-metal icons Neurosis needs no further elaboration here. What people may be less aware of, though, is that Von Till has been releasing solo records since 2000. Indeed, Alone in a World of Wounds (Neurot Recordings) is his sixth solo offering to date.

Photo By Bobby Cochran

Many of the eight tracks on Alone in a World of Wounds are based around ambient synth sounds, with acoustic instruments including piano, acoustic guitar, French Horn, and cello also featuring. Electric guitars also make an occasional appearance. Central to all of the songs is Von Till’s voice: a husky and world-weary baritone drawl. 

The music here is contemplative and mournful. Whilst this is by no means a heavy record in the metal sense, the songs are as cathartic and deep as anything by Neurosis. Drawing on Americana, ambient music, blues, and post-rock, the music on Alone in a World of Wounds is dark, apocalyptic, intense, and strangely beautiful.

What this record does wonderfully is mesh ambient soundscapes with a singer-songwriter approach. Minus the vocals, a track like album opener “The Corpse Road” could be something from a film score. Von Till’s distinctive vocals, however, make this and other tracks into structured songs that nevertheless rely on ambient sonic backdrops to create their atmosphere.

Although this album is probably best digested as a whole, there are several standout moments throughout Alone in a World of Wounds. “Watch Them Fade” pulsates with building intensity as Von Till delivers eminently catchy hooks. The sombre and melancholic textures of “Distance” underpin what is a kind of dark country ballad. “Calling Down the Darkness” bristles with fragility as the sorrowful piano and cello interact with subtle electronics and Von Till recites his poetic lyrics with gloriously languid melodies. “The Dawning of the Day (Insomnia)” has Von Till speaking his evocative poetry over a brilliantly vivacious piano part. “River of No Return” is full of magnificent melodies that sit on top of ever-building guitar and cello textures.

Alone in a World of Wounds will appeal equally to fans of Brian Eno, Townes Van Zandt and Nick Cave. With this record, Steve Von Till has managed to borrow from several seemingly disparate styles to create a work that, in spite of its sonic subtlety, is viscerally powerful when it comes to emotional impact.

Buy the album here:
https://stevevontill.bandcamp.com/album/alone-in-a-world-of-wounds

8 / 10
DUNCAN EVANS
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