Dark ambient music from Norway, courtesy of Are Mundal, who has been active since the ’90s and are releasing new stuff on an irregular basis. Obviously the title alludes to previous releases by the artist, CD1 comprised of the 'Interloper' LP (2020) and the "Nocturnal Discombobulation" 7" two-track single with a bonus track. CD2 consists of the 'Nocturnal Perambulation' LP + the 'Kreis' 12" vinyl EP. These were all vinyl limited editions (100 copies each), and all sold out now, so what better way to revive some great dark ambient than with a 2-Dsic compilation!

Beginning with the 2-track "Interloper" (presumably one track for each album side), the listener is treated to some really spooky, varied stuff. The rumbling looped percussion in the background gives the impression of a railway journey while other muted instruments and a moaning synth herald a bleak destination. Sure enough, the first stop is in the middle of nowhere and an overheard phone conversation leaves you with no doubt you don't know what the hell is going on. An echoey percussion track, strange foley sounds, and the emergence of a quasi-gamelan/Harry Partch-like interlude in a dream state makes for pleasantly uncomfortable listening. There's much more to this piece, but you just have to hear it for yourself. Side 2 is the stuff of nightmares, as Are Mundal ratchets up the tension musically and otherwise, with some dialogue samples pilfered from a radio broadcast about people who thought they're vampires. Ghostly voices and more haunt this realm and I wished I had opened this package before Halloween. Although there are percussive incidents on this side, it is generally less rhythmic than the preceding track. While still being along the lines of the preceding tracks, "Nocturnal Discombobulation" is a bit more playful on the A-side and more dour on the B-side with some samples alluding to an autopsy. The bonus track was nicely atmospheric, but non-essential.

CD2 begins with "Nocturnal Perambulation" a much more disjunct soundscape that is no less eerie but seems to wander all over creation on the first track/side. On the second track/side there seems to be more attention devoted to musicality but the dialogue samples (grim as they are) tend to detract from that, in my opinion. There are still moments of brilliance, but in an uber-dark way. Next comes "Kreis" in two parts (A-side, B-side) which are more abstract soundscapes. Some of it was quite interesting and all of it was dark, probably requiring more time to delve deeper into than I have currently, but if you like what went before, you will probably like it as well. Even though this comp is twenty bucks, it has good value for the dark ambient enthusiast, especially those of the more adventurous sort.