Excerpt: “The Nothing, But Death title isn’t the only epic thing about Anthony Saggers’ latest Stray Ghost collection…. There’s movement, of course, but movement of the generally slow and ponderous kind, as Saggers pursues his vision methodically and without haste, and with one part merging without pause into the next…Saggers effects a natural segue from the album cover’s water imagery to the ocean sounds inaugurating the opening part. They gradually give way to a judiciously controlled flow of symphonic ambient material where string and electronic tones gently overlap like so many waves crashing ashore. The mood, sombre yet soothing, carries over into part two where the distorted crackle and shudder of electronics adds a spacier dimension to the material’s strings and woodwind elements …One best make oneself comfortable when listening because Nothing, But Death—not nearly as gloomy as its title suggests…. When bird chirping supplants the string tones at the end, one can’t help but feel that some kind of paradise has been reached. All things considered, the recording sounds like a major step forward in an artistic evolution that has been exceptionally rapid.”

Textura

Excerpt: “Don’t be put off by the title – this is some of the most uplifting music you’ll hear this year. Anthony Saggers is an English ambient drone architect. These tunes, labelled Parts 1-8, are slow-moving glaciers, washes of synths. Absolutely gorgeous.”

The Underground of Happiness radio show Cork Campus Radio: Ireland

Excerpt: “a collection of melodic and environmentally informed ambience that begins with the sound of the sea and ends with bird song. If anything, this is a celebration of life rather than an introspective gaze at its end. Much of Saggers’ previous work has been drone-based, but here the music is much more open and coloured, with drifting, wave-like melodies composed of synth washes and string samples… The key to this music is space. Not cosmic space, but wide open landscapes with sweeping skies. Somewhere to escape to, away from the claustrophobia of modern life. Yes, there is sadness in this music, but also joy. The sort of wondrous feeling that a spectacular landscape or sunset or a clear sky on a pitch black night gives you. It’s Saggers best work yet.”

Music Musings and Miscellany