A Winged Victory For The Sullen, it could be said, is a difficult act to do justice with in words.
As Dustin O’Halloran and Adam Wiltzie appear on stage, turning up to the CCA’s gym like space to notes of a Disney-esque ambience, from then you get the sense that this show will be a little out of the ordinary.
Ambient masters Wiltzie and O’Halloran direct the beautiful orchestra-lite, as they play through cuttings of their most recent release second LP, Atomos, an album created for famed choreographer Wayne McGregor’s dance piece of the same name.
It’s a wash of sound, a couple of violins have never sounded so big especially when the cello grinds up from the deep to create a roar of noise, you’re listening for the distortion but somehow it’s not there.
Sombre tones build with a deep, dark synth duet between O’Halloran and Wiltzie, violins, viola and cellos are added, seguing into gentle piano notes and panoramic drones.
There is real majesty here, so much so that a crowd that only dares to tap toes and muster coughs between songs demands an encore and still wants more once it’s time to bid farewell.
It would be an exercise in futility to go over specifics of what songs are featured in the set tonight, it’s just one of those shows where everybody who is there will remember for years to come, time appears to stand still.
The various instrumental lines interlock throughout, and slowly rise and rise, both climbing scales and gradually cranking up the volume to reach a controlled crescendo.
Elsewhere, instruments are highlighted – like the cello hovering over the fourth piece’s introduction with samples looped endlessly forming the music’s deep bed.
A mention should go to the venue’s sound maestros, every delicate line comes out as clearly as A Winged Victory For The Sullen could have hoped, indeed at times if you just closed your eyes you may start to think you’re simply listening to your CD or vinyl.
It is also refreshing to see this venue filled to the brim as it should be, something the guys seem pleased about as they thank the respectful Glasgow audience before exiting.
Words: Andy Quigley
