Hidden beneath the accessible exterior of Audiotool’s most popular spheres exists an underworld where the bizarre and avant-garde flourish: the hadal zone of a teeming ocean whose inhabitants remain unbothered by the life above. This experimental/avant-garde world has hidden in shadows since Audiotool’s conception 14 years ago. A more comprehensive expedition into these Curious Spaces (I) should be conducted at a later date, but for now I’d like to talk about someone who’s been a personal inspiration to me, and who I think deserves much more respect in this community.

WIGHTFALL

Formerly known as Gray Out, Wightfall has evolved over his 8 years on Audiotool to become one of the most skilled and creative artists to grace the platform. He made his start with more traditional styles, of which were nothing too unlike what you’d expect to hear from the site, albeit still adeptly produced. However, from 2018 onward, this would change quickly and drastically; his taste for the alternative and left-field deepened until developing into the distinct style we know from him today. His rebrand also indicates this growth. While Wightfall has seemingly moved on from Audiotool to pursue bigger ventures, he has undoubtedly solidified himself in the community as someone who can inspire everyone to dare a little more.

The Burden - (I)

The Burden is an astonishing 12-minute, multi-faceted journey. I’d say this track was a key point in time for Wightfall’s growth as an artist considering its stylistic risk-taking and his stellar vocal debut. The track is separated into four sections, each of which flows seamlessly and elegantly, and the whole piece flies by in a mesmeric haze. We get gorgeous ambient lows and harrowing noisy highs in a song that’s better defined as an experience, all with the sweet touch of Wightfall’s fantastic vocals. [[embed:https://www.audiotool.com/track/jmm7wa1rej/]]

Body, Soul

Body, Soul is the perfect showcase for another admirable quality about Wightfall’s music: intimacy. Wightfall has shown his ability to create crushing walls of synths and guitars, orchestrated with great detail and effort, that shape a vast and immersive soundscape to get lost in. On the other hand, Wightfall can strip everything back to guitar and vocals and craft a strikingly emotional listening experience. A simple yet effective chord vamp sets the mood for Wightfall’s lyrical skill to amplify. The track’s simplicity is the prime contributor to its haunting air. To quote myself from 3 years ago, it’s “solemn and powerful.” [[embed:https://www.audiotool.com/track/qjocor0ugp5/]]

Loose End

If I were to pick one track from Wightfall’s discography that summarizes his sound best, I would have to choose Loose End: another 12-minute journey that exemplifies his range in composition, creativity, and even his own voice. After a slow and atmospheric build, the first half culminates in an explosive wall of guitars to frame Wightfall’s crooning vocals. A beautifully simple guitar motif ignites the section until being snuffed out by the commanding darkness of the second half. The drums are organic, the synths are dissonant, and Wightfall’s low, gritty voice crescendos into a ghostly falsetto in a section that feels like a love letter to Radiohead. The tension swells, as if meant to stretch forever, until the track disappears into nothing. What do all those stupid words mean? Yeah, I really like the song. [[embed:https://www.audiotool.com/track/eqtt9hf9dnhi/]] Regardless of your tastes, Wightfall’s music should serve as an inspirational feast for all artists on Audiotool. Professional-sounding, boundary-pushing music is absolutely possible on the site, and in fact, it’s already being made. In ways more profound than any advice can, Wightfall teaches us that we, as individual artists, are the only thing holding ourselves back.

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