Originally released in 1998, this remastered edition reintroduces us to a pivotal period in Vidna Obmana’s career, now enhanced with refreshed graphics and meticulously remastered by Dirk Serries (notoriously the man behind Vidna Obmana's curtains).

First, let's address the packaging. Housed in a six-panel digipack, the physical presentation of "Crossing The Trail" is as meditative and expansive as the music it contains. Martina Verhoeven's photographs, drawn from the same era as the original Projekt release, imbue the album with a timeless quality, perfectly aligning with Vidna Obmana's penchant for creating music that feels both ancient and futuristically alien.

The album kicks off with "Encountering Terrain", an 8-minute invitation into Vidna Obmana's world of textured electronics and organic instrumentation. It's like stepping into an otherworldly forest at dawn, where every rustle and chirp is amplified into a symphony of subtle, haunting beauty. The layers of bamboo flutes, ocarinas, and electronic loops create a soundscape that is both intricate and spacious, inviting deep listening.

"Trail Dwelling", featuring the ambient titan Steve Roach, stands out as one of the album's highlights. Roach's contributions of electronic groove creation and harmonic waves blend seamlessly with Vidna Obmana's ambient wizardry. The track's nearly 11-minute runtime feels almost too short, as it's easy to get lost in its immersive, undulating currents. It’s a masterclass in ambient collaboration, where each artist’s input is distinct yet perfectly integrated.

"Forest Arrow" continues the journey with its contemplative, almost ritualistic ambiance. Vidna Obmana’s use of various percussion and recycling techniques adds a tactile quality to the music, as if each sound is a relic being unearthed and repurposed for a new auditory experience.

"Mission Ground" and "The Esoteric Source" delve deeper into the spiritual dimensions of Vidna Obmana's work. The latter features Martina Verhoeven's ethereal chant, which hovers above the track like a ghostly presence, adding an esoteric layer to the already dense soundscape. Here, the music transcends mere listening and becomes an experience, a journey into the mystical.

"The Giant Traveler" evokes imagery of vast, desolate landscapes, its soundscapes as expansive as the title suggests. This track, like many on the album, fully demonstrated Vidna Obmana's skill in creating music that feels cinematic without ever becoming intrusive.
The album closes with "This Splendid Place", featuring Jeff Pearce’s guitar and electronic loops. At over 14 minutes, it’s a slow-burning epic that encapsulates the album’s themes of exploration and introspection. Pearce’s guitar work is a precious embellishment to Dirk's electronic textures, grounding the track in a way that feels both intimate and vast.

If you're a connoisseur of ambient music, this reissue is not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane but a reaffirmation of the genre’s power to transform and transport. "Crossing The Trail" used to be and keeps on being a beautifully crafted album that sounds thoughtful, immersive, and deeply moving. And while the reissue might come across as a cash-grab in less capable hands, here it feels like a necessary pilgrimage, a chance to reconnect with a seminal work that continues to resonate across the years.