Well of Souls
File under "Mild Hallucinogen": tribal-ambient pioneer Roach and percussionist Obmana take us to sacred sites and forbidden netherworlds with this gorgeous pastiche of rhythmic hypnotism and shimmering sonic drift. Every bit as alluring as Roach's didjeridoo- infused New Age classicDreamtime Return,Soulsis even deeper and more complex. Charged with canyon-sized reverb decays and growling subsonic hums, it's one of the scariest relaxing experiences you'll ever have--the kind of reality-blurring soundtrack that might have accompanied William Hurt during the famous psychotropic isolation-tank sequence inAltered States. Ditto for the neoprimitive cave paintings in the cover art. Brilliant.--James Rotondi