Biosphere – Substrata

I've been into ambient for so many years, but oddly, I didn't know much about Biosphere or its master, Geir Jennsen. This kindled my interest in the dark, brooding and beautiful world of Scandinavian ambient music. A different world than Richard D James Aphex world which I've known so well and love, especially his SAW2 record.

The track, Antennaria, struck me as being one of the most beautiful, yet haunting ambient tracks I've ever heard. Offkey vocals begin to layer into a rich plush and ominous sequence of notes, much like the background music at the end of the first half of Full Metal Jacket before that solider shoots his drill sergeant and himself with a rifle.

Poa Alpina is a repetitive track of such sorrow and beauty at the same time. Pulsating sequence of chords amidst the high polar winds of the cold Arctic. Simply stunning.

I could best compare this with TV viewing with bleak Scandinavian noir drama.

Anyone know what the voice on Kobresia is saying in english?

Anybody could kindly share any clues on where the voice sample of Hyperborea comes from?

Voted the best Electronic album of 1997 by the of The World’s Greatest Ever Electronic Music Albums group.

https://www.twgeema.com/best-electronic-albums-of-1997

A classic album that defines what ambient is in its truest sense of the genre, you won't be disappointed.See those lists on the side? check it out as it is still exciting and fun even after all these years.

When it came to keeping the spirit of ambient/techno alive, Biosphere came to the rescue. In a time of TripHop/Jungle/DnB being in vogue, Geir Jenssen didn't yield a centimeter, he produced an even more chilling masterpiece than Patashnik, with Substrata.

And for the budding arctic botanist, it is probably interesting that these get a mention: Poa Alpina, Kobresia, Antennaria, Uva-Ursi, Silene

This needs a new reissue release doesn't it? The 2011 version still is out there.

One of best ambient albums ever ... Helped me many times ...

This is probably the ambient album I listened most and still every time I press play I continue to be totally absorbed by the magnificent soundscapes composed by Geir Jenssen. Electronic music ages very fast, but it is not the case of this album released almost twenty years ago that still sounds fresh and contemporary. This summer I'll go to Norway on holiday and I look forward to experience this album while I drive through the fjords!!

Since morning when I pressed play till when I fall asleep in the late night, this sonorous timeless brilliance was on re-play. Thank you Geir Jenssen for this magnificence collection of sounds shared to the world!