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NIMH / SLEEPWALKER: Empire of Sand (CD 2026 - Ksenza Records)
Ksenza Records is an undisputed key indie label dedicated to the defense of extreme music, from merciless (post-)metal subgenres to deep ambient music, electro-cinematic spells, and abstract noise. I’m familiar with part of their catalogue, including releases by Nytt Land, who have also published major works on Cold Spring (U.K.), as well as Sutekh Hexen and Thisquietarmy.
This collaborative effort is the result of a groundbreaking artistic meeting between Nimh (the project of pioneering Italian post-industrial and ethno-ritual drone musician Giuseppe Verticchio) and Sleepwalker (the project of the mastering engineer behind Ksenza). Empire of Sand provides impeccably built darkened droning soundscapes with an emotional and nihilistic apex. The whole sonic architecture is centered on assaultive, multi-layered harsh electric guitar patterns; micro-noisy, grainy ambient electronics; and a grandiose, spellbinding dystopian cinematic component.
The brooding and elegantly evocative moving pieces lead the listener into a dense metaphysical post-human world surrounded by decaying fortresses, aural figures from the past, forlorn mythological creatures, ghoulish presences, and tearful angels. Some moments of lightness and serenity occasionally emerge from the desolate, isolationist sensorial bath, as in the elegiac gothadelic anthem “Empire of Sand” and the ascending “The Endless Journey.”
The perfect bleak soundtrack for an immersion into ominous sci-fi novels depicting subterranean, cold, anguished, demonic, fearful, and paroxysmal worlds at the border between real and imaginary time, notably found in the classic books of M. P. Shiel, C. Ashton Smith, N. Henneberg, and R. W. Chambers. An awe-inspiring album that is a highly recommended addition for those who enjoy mystical and dark musical odysseys where organic ambient meets drone metal and entrancing noise. Fans of Monocube, Shrine, Nadja, Locrian, Khanate, and similar artists won’t be disappointed.
- Philippe Blache - Igloomag
В самой середине жаркого лета 2026 года двумя эмбиент проектами, итальянским NIMH и российским Sleepwalker, был издан сплит с засушливым названием «Empire of Sand». Прекрасно оформленный визуал и названия передают суть содержимого довольно точно. Этот альбом – большое путешествие среди бескрайней пустоши. Временами это бесплодная пустыня, временами развалины давно вымерших поселений с рушащимися монументами. Иногда являются то ли миражи, то ли отголоски воспоминаний в виде журчания воды или едва различимых голосов. В композиции «Memories of Rainy Days» нам чудится не только звук дождя, но и отчётливая партия электрогитары. Открывающая альбом «The Cathedral in the Desert» несёт слегка восточных колорит.
Большая часть звуков на альбоме записана на электрогитаре, однако вы вряд ли об этом догадаетесь, что является особенностью характерной для проекта Sleepwalker. Определённо, видная работа на просторах минималистичного эмбиент/дрон/нойза.
СD в формате digipack изданы лейблом Ksenza records. Мне мой экземпляр достался в магазине Rock-House. Категорически рекомендую!
- LOS Magazine -
In the midst of the hot summer of 2026, two ambient projects, the Italian NIMH and the Russian Sleepwalker, released a split LP with the arid title "Empire of Sand."
The carefully crafted images and titles accurately convey the essence of the content.
This album is a long journey through a vast, desolate land.
At times it is a barren desert, at times the ruins of long-gone settlements, with crumbling monuments.
Sometimes mirages appear, or echoes of memories in the form of murmuring water or barely audible voices. In the track "Memories of Rainy Days," not only the sound of rain is heard, but also a distinct electric guitar part.
The opening track, "The Cathedral in the Desert," has a slight oriental flavor.
Most of the album's sounds are recorded with electric guitar, though you'd hardly notice it—a typical feature of the Sleepwalker project.
It's undoubtedly a standout work in the minimalist ambient/drone/noise scene.
The digipack CDs were released by Ksenza Records. I got my copy from Rock House. Highly recommended!
- Rock House - (Re-published in English from a review in LOS Magazine)