ACTIVE DARK FILAMENT is a Canadian electronic music artist who creates textured cinematic compositions often containing a narrative edge. The music seeks to meld disparate genres such as progressive electronic, synthwave, and space music into a unique musical alloy. The result is a contrast between music that is forward looking and at the same time nostalgic. There are many musical influences, including classic electronic artists such as Klaus Schulze, Vangelis, Isao Tomita and Tangerine Dream, the progressive rock of King Crimson, and even Miles Davis, Stravinsky and Autechre.

Since 2018, ACTIVE DARK FILAMENT has released five full-length albums and two extended plays. This latest release “Mariners of Space and Time” reflects on the Golden Age of science fiction in the 20th century, an imaginary journey to the boundaries of both space and time. The music is realized using both analog and digital gear, as well as drum machines and virtual instruments.

Tracks:

“Escaping Sol”: The first step in such a journey is gaining freedom from the gravitational grasp of the Sun. “Escaping Sol” begins with a soft fanfare growing louder and louder before being joined by incessant percussion. After a brief pause in the action, the percussion returns combined with a spirited piano solo.

“The Unquiet Space” imagines the transveral of a debris field. It opens with a burbling sequence overlain by dark and resonant melodies. The composition moves through several dark moods before ending on a cacophonous note.

“Hypervelocity I & II”: These are short pieces devised from improvisations over a simple sequencer pattern.

“Traversing the Expanse”: The foundation of this piece is an incessant 5/4 ostinato opposed by a contrasting patterns in the middle section. It is a rumination on the enormous distances that must be crossed in order to explore the universe.

"Soft Illusions". A more introspective piece consisting of variations on a meditative sequence.

“Echoes of Ancient Events” imagines a visitation to a deserted world in which there is evidence of a violent past.

“Disjoint Universes” ponders the concept of the Multiverse, a collection of separate universes unable to communicate with one another. Eerie background tones are matched with sombre synthesizer voices that leads to a reverberant, arpeggiated sequence.

“Sphere of Causality” is a far-reaching concept that describes the idea that we can only access a portion of the universe due to its continuing expansion. Sedate bass and piano arpeggios support airy synthesizer melodies.

“The Decay of Elementary Particles” considers the possibility of the ultimate disintegration of all matter in the universe, leaving only a universe of black holes. Echoed tones are heard which coalesce into a layered, melodic passage ending with a rhythmic coda.

“Mariners of Space and Time” imagines being at the final endpoint of the universe, the end of space and time.