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Tenebrae​-​A Presence of Light

by Jim Kirkwood

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about

Although the music for this album, which is over two hours long, is unashamedly Gothic EM, and is consistent in style, the concept, history and many sources of inspiration behind this album make it a complex, of interwoven themes, a Matrix, if you will. One of these themes is the idea of a parallel world, an idea that is present throughout my back catalogue. The "Hidden Village", the village no one can see, was the main theme of my "Foxhalt Edge" album and continued in "Canterbury Black" and "Corvis Christi" albums. On the full cover of this album, I painted in the upper left, the figure of C.S.Lewis, whose writings were the primary source of inspiration. In particular, The Chronicles of Narnia and the idea that we can disappear into another world, a fact that most religious people will tell you is ultimately inevitable. The only important question is the nature of these worlds and our own personal destination toward or away from them. Another work of Mr Lewis (saint Jack!) that goes some way to offering a possible explanation is "The Great Divorce" . Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory are all brought into focus, in a somewhat tongue in cheek fashion, where the main protagonist takes a bus ride from the "City", (Purgatory or Hell) for a day trip to Paradise accompanied by some very interesting characters who have some very interesting ideas about life and death. I decided I would create my own story, and City (Tenebrae). I borrowed some ideas from a sci-fi movie, The Dark City, and of course, the Matrix. And possibly the Truman show.
My own protagonist, D.I. Zachariah Winters, makes some alarming discoveries about the place where he lives and his own history. This brings together another theme, Grace and Redemption. Zach is a character based upon a failed hero from a Michael Moorcock book who comes to a particularly unpleasant end. But is it the end? You can work out who he is from the title of the tenth track. This track is a kind of re-write in part of one of my earlier cassettes. I think of it more of a variation on a theme which I have woven into the story. Of course, it is not my intention to "hi-jack" (pun not intended) Mr Moorcock's work or to say what he actually believes or not. These ideas are my own and responsibility for them rests on my shoulders alone. Why do it? Well, because its fun, because I can, and it is a good way of exploring and discovering what I personally believe. Sometimes we don't know what we really believe until we act upon it. so this journey is a personal one of delight and discovery. A pilgrimage, yes. Alternatively, you can just listen to the music and enjoy it, but it is always my hope that it might grip your imagination, and sweep you off to unknown vistas, in a good sort of way. Bilbo Baggins might have something to say about that! Like our own world this journey is full of light and shadow, the knowledge of good and evil, and the music reflects that reality. The journey for all us begins now and from where we are. I wish you God speed and pray you make the right choices.

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released July 20, 2020

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