The Missing Ensemble, Hidden Doors (Mondes Elliptiques)

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The Missing Ensemble are, according to their collective bio, actually "three creative entities" each located in different points on the North American map, coming together for the first time in order to make as little sound as possible in the most beautiful ways.

Its members are John Sellekaers (from Xingu Hill and Dead Hollywood Stars), Daniel De Los Santos (Tamarin) and Mathias Delplanque (Lena and Bidlo). What they concoct together (via file swapping?) is a four-part masterpiece of quiet drone featuring tiny glitches and patiently crafted variations. It is quite dark music, downright chilling at times. Possible to classify as either ambient, drone, or even a very restained kind of noise music. "Part Three" even features some very unique beats pleasingly executed. In a way, it is hard to believe the efforts of three men were required to create Hidden Doors, but whatever they are doing as an ensemble, they are doing very well indeed.

The cover itself might be mistaken as a centuries old masterpiece. On first glance, it would appear to be a Rococo portrait of two comely ladies-in-waiting. A closer look reveals a creepy surprise.

Although the deluxe "digifile" sleeve contains two short stories, one in English, one in French (appropriate considering the Canadian provenance of this release), other reading material this reviewer would suggest is "House of Leaves" by Mark Z. Danielewski, itself centred around a hidden door.

Available in a limited run of 500 copies on Mondes Elliptiques, a new sub-label of Angle.Rec, which have already given us some gorgeous drone material by the likes of Adrian Baker.

http://www.angle-rec.net/mondes