LHAM stands for Leaving Hardly A Mark, an Italian group comprised of Giuseppe Verticchio (Nimh, Hall of Mirrors, Twist of Fate...) and Bruno De Angelis (Mana ERG), and 'Tertium Quid' is their fourth album (third on the 13/Silentes label). Prior releases are comprised of strong cinematic ambient atmospheres, and I suspect the music of 'Tertium Quid' to be along the same lines. Opening with the sounds of an orchestra tuning up, then the conductor tapping his baton and voicing the rhetorical question, "Shall we begin?" the music does mirror something along the lines of an ambient cinematic overture. Things get futuristic on "Legacy Human," sounding somewhat like a Blade Runner atmosphere, very sci-fi, very dramatic, and yet there are emotional elements later in the composition that moved it out of replicant/robot territory. The first whisper of guitar appears in "Because You're Dead," a beautifully orchestrated piece with a reality check voice-over. There are more subtle instrumental touches here than you might imagine.

"Neutral Angels" may remind listeners of Vangelis and Tangerine Dream's more cinematic efforts, dome elegantly with a repetitive, simple, but effective chord progression. "Sleeping Chronos" strikes me as a nighttime atmosphere, but more like a dream than a snooze. The voices at the conclusion carry it upwards to the heavens. You might expect silence on a track titled "Nothing," but you won't get it. There is nothing laid back about the music on this track, and the theme of existentialism runs strong in it. More than halfway through the track becomes really bold, powerful,and progressive in its majesty.

"Summa Irru" (Tamil for "Just Be") refers to a state of spiritual stillness and presence, characterized by both mental and physical quietude. It's a practice of remaining inwardly, without engaging in external situations or responding to them. This track is somewhat reflective of that practice, a sense of calm while the world is not. "Symbol or Aenigma" may or may not have something to do with Lucio Fulci's 1988 supernatural horror film, 'Aenigma'. There is a dialogue sample on this one but I do not know if it was from the film. We're back in space, steeped in cosmic ambience on "Pyrrha Sub Astro." Ending in the "Lowlands" with changing media chatter (radio/TV transmissions) we come to realize that little of it matters in the long run. It is everything and noting. It is all around us, yet eludes us. The title "Tertium Quid" refers to an unidentified third element that is in combination with two known ones. The phrase is associated with alchemy. There is certainly some superb musical alchemy on this unclassifiable album. CD limited to 200 copies. Highly recommended!