raison d'être - Lost Fragments (2002)

raison d'être (french for “reason to be”), the long running ambient project of Swedish musician Peter Andersson was born back in 1991 and throughout the years this legendary composer has released numerous albums & tapes, appeared on tons of compilations, performed live across Europe (at least one tour in the USA, I believe), spearheaded numerous other musical projects and continues to perfect his skills with each new unique release. His material is typically majestically dark ambient music with industrial & orchestral undercurrents, Gregorian chants, various percussion, poignant choirs and ominous voices that form together to construct slow paced droning ambient music that really sounds like none other. Andersson is infinitely respected in the scene and is the king among kings when it comes to ambient music. With all intros aside let’s discuss this album titled, 'Lost Fragments.'

The story on this release is that its material recorded in 1992 and originally released in 1998 as a 100 copy CDR containing compositions that Andersson felt were unsuitable for his early albums and tapes. In 2002 Cold Meat Industry decided to re-release the material as a two CD set with the first CD containing a live performance from 1996, plus various remixes and alternative versions, while the second CD contains the original Lost Fragments release re-mastered and it comes housed in a sharp looking fold out digipak, making it simply a must for fans. To date this is the only album I own from Peter, but I've heard most of his work from the 90's (via you know how) and generally adored it.

The first six songs on disc 1 are from a live show in 1996 that took place at a Cold Meat Industry festival in Germany. Prior to hearing this collection I was always curious as to what ambient music sounded like live, and since I don’t live in Europe the chances of finding out rather slim to none. Surprisingly things are very quiet during the show. There isn't any cheering, talking, fat drunken fools screaming or anything of that extent. To my ears it sounds like it was a very calm, relaxing, otherworldly show that must have been a real treat for those in attendance that night. Ambient artists usually have a screen behind them playing some sort of film or hodgepodge of random weird images to go with their music, thus I'm sure its quite an atmospheric event as well.

The remaining tracks are remixed and alternative versions, some of the originals I’m familiar with and some I am not. In any case though it’s the typical style we’ve come to expect from raison d'être with not to many surprises, but certainly much enjoyment. Popping in disc two reveals a side to this project, which I never knew existed. The songs on the Lost Fragments release are much more active and melodic sounding with lots more emphasis on the industrial elements, electronics, and a wider usage of martial sounding percussion. Some of the songs even bring to mind In Slaughter Natives or Puissance due to their militant nature. Not all tracks are however in this vein but most follow this course of action. There's also a underlining bleak and just wicked sounding vibe to most of these songs that simply can't be touched. Collectively were talking twenty seven songs here running nearly three hours in length. Best to grab a good book and loose yourself while listening.

All things considered a very pleasing and enjoyable release from raison d'être that’s good for both the long time fans as well as those that are interested in exploring the genre or getting their first taste of Peter's work.