Horders / The Way to Light split review

The Way to Light and Horders have recently teamed up on a split cassette tape released on Die Song. Both belong to the ambient/noise genre spectrums, but are certainly quite different in terms of sound. While Horders tend to produce more abrasive sounding tracks, The Way to Light tends to create more atmospheric pieces. 

Horders play five new tracks on this split, and they are really something quite different to their earlier work. For a noise/instrumental project that may seem like a hard thing to do, but they have certainly tried to push the limits and explore some new territories this time round. It is almost hard for me to explain exactly what is different, it really needs to be heard to be understood.
The first track, "No Hope" follows an ominous distorted acoustic riff that really captures the name of the track, and is filled with the usual samples and abrasive reverb I've come to associate with Horders. "Desert Glass" starts in a completely different direction, with a minute of building distortion that builds into an enormous wall of sound that bursts through your ear drums. In a way it is horrible to listen to, but yet in another strange way I keep going back to listen to it over and over again. Once the wall is finally broken down there is another solemn riff surrounded by samples of machine guns and other unearthly noises.
Where this side gets particularly interesting for me is the last track "Erase the Slate". While Horders has definitely had samples of spoken words in previous tracks, this is the first I am aware of to feature actual lyrics. Of course they are wickedly distorted, but they work on top of the acoustic guitar perfectly and without careful listening sound just like another layer of twisted noise samples.

As I had thought, the TWTL is entirely different to the Horders side. All of the abrasiveness has been stripped back and replaced with intense drawn out drones. Everything about these tracks is very soft, yet somehow very dark. It makes me feel like I am hearing the sounds from a very long distance, as if I have travelled away from the source to a place inside my own mind.
The first track, "Aghartha" starts with roughly three and a half minutes of drones and hints of an array of sounds that create such an immense atmosphere. A quiet acoustic riff then makes it's way through all the layers of sound and is eventually accompanied by a whisper of spoken vocals. "Worthless Crown" starts with a slow, heavy drum beat that is at the start a part of some distant noises which eventually fades into the abyss. A slow tune creeps it's way back into the air, and by the three minute mark starts some acoutisc guitar and vocals that would not be out of place on a Roses Never Fade record (no surprises there really).

A small promotional video was also made for the release, and all of the tracks are now streaming online. TWTL even has it's first full-length album on the horizon, again thanks to Die Song.

Interview with The Way To Light

The Way to Light is a relatively new musical project coming right out of Texas. I have done a couple of reviews for releases by The Way to Light now, and have really gotten into and appreciate the work. To find out more about the project and what is in store next, I caught up with the driving force behind TWTL, Austin.

LG - First and foremost, how about you introduce yourself?

AR- Austin Rathmell, I am the sole acting force behind The Way To Light. I also played guitar in the band Botfly. And have also started a new project from the ashes of botfly called FALM. 

LG - You were once part of the criminally underrated band Botfly. What happened to cause the demise of the group?


AR - The band was actually somewhat dysfunctional. The vocalist and I wanted to go one way with the project, the others wanted to go another way. As much fun as we had performing together, the band never turned out to be what we had originally intended. Eventually the split was just inevitable. Dustin (vocalist) and I always wanted botfly to be really raw, violent, and noisy. The others wanted a cleaner more polished version. So eventually we decided to end the band. We had begun to feel it was nearing its end anyway. But since then Dustin and I have rejoined and have started FALM. Which will be what we've always wanted from Botfly. Raw, Violent, and Harsh.

LG - What made you take a different approach to music with TWTL?  

AR- I never felt complete satisfaction with what I wrote with Botfly. I always thought "this or that could be better". So after the band broke up I wanted to write some music that I would truly enjoy and I didn't want to work with anyone. I was honestly tired of what I produced with Botfly. So I decided to try something different. I had been wanted to start a solo dark folk style project for sometime, so I finally pushed myself to do it. After that I just began fiddling with recording a bunch of acoustic riffs that I had been playing for years. And after about 2-3 months, "That Place Now Forgotten" was born. And I fell in love.

LG - The creative process is obviously strikingly different for a project such as this. What is involved in the creation of TWTL tracks?

AR -The creative process is somewhat different from each song/ release. I don't have a set way of writing songs, I kind of try new things each time. I think that gives the songs more originality, rather than me just plugging riffs into a formula. In the beginning I would write as I was recording. Id lay down a riff and begin adding over it and the song would just form itself in a way. Now I spend more time getting a basic layout done in my head or written down before recording anything. But I think both processes are useful, just depends on the song. Sometimes Ill start a song based on a riff I like, or sometimes even a lyric I write will give me ideas on how I want a song to sound. Like I said, its different each time.

LG - What was your inspiration for the project?

AR - One of the main inspirations for this project was the Church of Ra, in its entirety. Everything they did spoke to me on a level I can't describe. I think it was from their light that I truly found the soul to this project. Another influence, oddly enough, was the band VVegas. They have a few acoustic songs that really inspired me to create this music. They're so haunting, but they also carry hints of beauty within them. I think that is something that has truly crossed over into The Way To Light. 

LG - I know exactly what you mean about VVegas, I too have found their acoustic stuff to be gold. In my opinion, Fruition is easily one of their best tracks. VVegas is obviously quite connected to Roses Never Fade. What is your involvement with this group, and how did you become involved?

AR - Fruition is easily my favorite track as well. Within the past few months I have been working with Nick Fiction on some new RNF tracks. I am merely collaborating on this release. I am doing vocals on a few tracks. I got in contact with nick via facebook randomly a while back. We talked for a while, and eventually I talked about us collaborating on something together, and we decided on myself working on some of the new RNF songs. So we will see what comes forth. So far the new stuff sounds good, its a different mood from the original first 2 releases. But it is still solid.

LG - In a little over a year, TWTL has already produced three releases. What is in the pipeline for the future?

AR - At the moment I am working on a few tracks for a split, cant say who with just yet, but it should be a good one. I am also diligently working on a full length album. I am really taking my time with it and am very proud of where its going so far. After I finish the recordings for these releases I will start getting everything ready so I can start playing Live shows! 

LG - I'm sure the full length will be great. Where can we look to stay up to date with TWTL news?

AR - I use the Facebook profile the most, any and all updates will be posted there.

LG - Anything else you'd like to add?

AR - Thank you to everyone who has supported the project thus far. Your heart is in mine.

Austin has also just put together the first video clip for TWTL. Be sure to check it out..

The Way to Light​/​Feral​/​Wrecca 3-way Split

All the way back in April I wrote a small piece about a one man project from an ex-Botfly member, The Way to Light. When I received the email I liked what I heard, and so when I got another email about the project's latest work I was quite keen to write something again. Sadly I'm only just getting round to it now (which is several months later), but it is not through lack of enthusiasm.

This time TWTL features on a three way split tape, with Wrecca and Feral, released by Red River Family records, which showcases four brand new tracks from TWTL, and 12 in total.

The new TWTL tracks pick up right where "The Sun's Ascent" left off, creating layer upon layer of multi-dimensional drones and noises. To be honest, I find these kinds of tracks difficult to listen to some of the time. There are times when what you want is to feel raw energy pulsating into your ears drums, which of course is not this. But, there are times when you really need to calm and clear your head. For me, TWTL is perfect for times for this. It feels like it somehow alters your very consciousness as you begin to really listen to all the small sounds and whispers that creep into your ear canals. In this way I think TWTL is really something special.

The other two bands, Feral and Wrecca are two bands I had not heard of until this split, but both are interesting in their own way.

Feral play four tracks, that according to the website are described as Doom Folk. I fell that is really quite an apt description of these tracks, three of which are acoustic with a very sad tone about them. However, the last Feral track, "Outro", changes entirely. Instead of an acoustic guitar dominating the sound, a single building drone takes it's place. On top of this are whispered vocals, that really do send a shiver down the spine.

Wrecca are entirely different again. They take a much harsher approach to their tracks than the other bands, especially with the track "Take Us Away". The guitar is incredibly noisy, and there are even coarsely screamed vocals over the top. I swear I can hear the sound of a metal pole being dragged along the ground in this one too... In some ways it is really quite different to the rest of the tracks on the split, yet it somehow still somehow seems to complement them very well.

If you are keen to check this out, the embedded player just below will help you get your fix. And if that still isn't quite enough, head on over to the online store and pick up the tape.

The Way To Light - The Sun's Ascent

Writing this blog has really had it's advantages. Not only does it give me a chance to document and share music I've managed to get hold of, but it has also opened the path to new music. A perfect example is this, "The Sun's Ascent" from The Way to Light. I hadn't heard of this project until I got a message in my inbox asking me to give it a bit of a listen. Sometimes I've been contacted about stuff that I'm really not into, but this was not one of those times....

The Way to Light rises from the ashes of Botfly, although from listening to it you would never have guessed. In fact you'd be hard pressed to find many similarities between the two projects. Whereas Botfly played metallic hardcore, the guitarist Austin has crafted three acoustic tracks that I can only describe as hauntingly beautiful.

Each track progressively builds up layer upon layer of different sounds and tones, creating a truly mind-altering experience. It is really quite amazing the level of atmosphere that is set from drones and noises, but the guitar work is what has really captured me. It is so soft, yet manages to portray such a mosaic of beauty and sadness that resonates right through your mind. These, coupled with perfectly whispered vocals, produce something really quite special.

This is soon to be released by striVVe recordings as part of a special double cassette with their earlier EP, "That Place Now Forgotten". I'm sure that will be incredibly limited, so keep your eyes peeled if you like what you hear down below.

As an aside, this project is intimately linked with Roses Never Fade, who have somewhat recently released a new track. I hear there may be a new LP in the works, so be sure to get very excited for that.