Welcome to another journey into the silky darkness of the night with Max Corbacho as he unleashes Nocturnes II for his fans to devour and enjoy. Nocturnes II was released on April 20, 2018 and from the first notes of Celistia which clocks in at a hefty 23:13 the listener knows that this is going to be a special journey that will leave them wishing for more when it finally comes to a close after the last track called Moon Apparition closes out the album. Nocturnes II to me encapsulates the slow breathing and mystical aspects of those darkest hours of the night when all is quiet in the world and the only thing that breaks that silence are the sounds of crickets, birds or animal calls as they wander the landscape when humans have retreated to the warmth of their beds until daylight once again returns the world to them.

With Nocturnes II Max has created a soundscape that is shadow-encased but in a way that is inviting and urges us to step into the shadows ourselves not in a fearful way but in an intimate way by embracing the darkness that surrounds us at night. Max has outdone himself with Nocturnes II and has given us a masterpiece of music and sounds that will be played over and over again in the coming months. The lush quality of this music and the ethereal mindset that it puts the listener into are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere that is filled with deep, dark passages that are appropriate for some serious introspection and contemplation. According to the liner notes Max has woven into the fabric of this music crickets and other night sounds that he recorded live for inclusion in this project. Max has used these sounds in a subtle way to accent the music and to help create the deeper reality that one finds when sitting in the night and listening to the natural sounds that are only hints of what lies beyond our vision within the darkness that envelops us at night.

Nocturnes II shows us that Max Corbacho is adept at crafting long ambient pieces that he expertly weaves into a cohesive work that carries the narrative forward from song to song. With variations and nuances Max is always able to move the listener forward deeper into a state of tranquility, deeper into the velvety darkness that is where the music on this album originated from. Max’s instincts in regards to the choice of music and the production and mixing of this album are impeccable. He shows us that he is an artist who knows his abilities and is more than capable of using his talents to craft a wonderful album like Nocturnes II. This album has 7 tracks and runs close to 70 minutes in length which is more than enough time to immerse yourself into the night that Max has presented to you on this album.

If you were thinking about giving Max’s music a try then I would recommend that this album is a good place to start. The recording quality for this project was top notch and was a sonic delight to listen to. Nocturnes II is an enchanting work of art and a captivating narrative filled with shadowy and slow moving images created by Max’s expert usage of sequencing, synthesizers, samplers, looping devices and atmospheres. This album will give you a new appreciation for what these electronic devices can deliver when put into the hands of a skillful artist like Max Corbacho. Do yourself a favor and go get your own copy of this latest release by Max. Highly recommended by Ambient Visions.

Reviewed by Michael Foster for Ambient Visions

Chuck van Zyl, Host of «Star´s End

On Indalo (70’50»), Max Corbacho and Bruno Sanfilippo collaborate to produce a musical crosscurrent of directions and influences. This work tells of a shared spiritual imagination and of the steps each artist has taken toward enlightenment. Their detailed harmonic soundscapes portray the vast expanse of a timeless panorama. Travelers through this dark sonic landscape become part of the view – as are the composers, seen hovering around their musical themes. Elsewhere, lost within atonal washes, we peer into darkness. In these passages, the sustained ambiguity of this work converges with a profound stillness, and the strange rush of your own blood. Indalo is a ceremonial work based on the power of an inspirited place. Of all artforms, music has the unique ability to depict more than simply one moment frozen in space – and just as reality evolves over time, so does this album. It is a transportive listening experience and a fulfilling distraction to the psychological disquiet of the modern world.

Phil Derby / Sequences Magazine

«Drawing on influences of the best of floating ambience, from Steve Roach to Robert Scott Thompson, Spaniard Max Corbacho places his own stamp on the genre with his second CD, a solid follow-up to his very good «Vestiges» CD. The tribal elements have been stripped away this time around, leaving a sparser, sometimes darker sonic landscape. From the high soft shimmers of «Primigenial Frontier» to the low rumblings of «Predawn Darkness,» the mood throughout is haunting and dramatic, yet serene and beautiful. «Predawn Darkness» in particular walks the tightrope between darkness and beauty quite admirably. Roach fans will at once think back to his epic, «The Magnificent Void.» The deep, low drones are first rate, and the feeling of expansiveness is palpable. «The Threshold» has a metallic character, almost but not quite shrill, with rich tonal qualities. An undercurrent of strange percolating noises really enhances the atmosphere. Not all is darkness and crevasses, however. «Invisible Jewell» has elegance and warmth, though it is still rooted firmly in ambient rather than new age realms. This is perfectly soothing, comparing favourably with Thompson’s excellent work, «The Silent Shore.» «The Great Sparkling Dome» is also a bit brighter in parts, but still tends toward minimal broad strokes of sound, becoming almost silent here and there. It is very calming and relaxing with just the right tinges of darkness. «Soundless Sign» is, as it implies, the quietest track, approaching soft stillness. Finally, the 20-minute title track wraps things up perfectly, slowly shifting and drifting to a sparkling, spacious conclusion.»

(2000 © Phil Derby / Sequences Magazine)

(2000 © Phil Derby / Sequences Magazine)