Requiem is very different from Michael Prime's previous solo albums, which focused on environmental electro-acoustics (Elements 1 using recordings of fire and water, Domestic Science sourced from home appliances, L-Fields based on biomagnetic readings). Here, the artist uses improvisations by Negative Entropy, his duo with Noise-Maker's Fifes' Geert Feytons, with the addition of sound sculptures by Len Lye and "the voice of Miro," say the liner notes. Prime processes the sounds, stripping away most of their distinctive characteristics to create lush, haunting, droning soundscapes. The two untitled side-long pieces evoke the song of sorrow of ghosts haunting a shipwreck, although the mourning feeling disappears once you crank up the volume and let yourself be submerged by the sonic magma. Of Negative Entropy's improvisations, not much remains that can be identified. Metallic sounds woven into the first piece reveal the presence of the sound sculptures and bring to mind the music of Chas Smith or Dan Senn. The process may be less intriguing than on L-Fields and the work may be less substantial in terms of conceptual approach, but Prime has delivered two beautiful and harsh ambient soundscapes. Die Stadt released Requiem on 180-gram vinyl packaged in an evocative gatefold sleeve with a ghostly white light fading to blue. Recommended to drone fans. ~ François Couture, Rovi