The ambient-drone subgenre seems to evolve just as glacially as the songs of artists that work in this particular field produce. In a genre where subtlety is king, it often seems that artists deliberately avoid making advances in the field – that seems too much like avoiding subtlety altogether. But to assume that the listener will appreciate this dogmatic adherence to the drone forever is wishful thinking, at best. All that is needed is one spark, and the complacency of the listeners in the face of the slowly-evolving scene will burst into a flame of passionate attempts at change. That spark has arrived in the form of thisquietarmy's first full-length release, Unconquered. Already known for experimenting within the generally static fields of ambient drone, thisquietarmy proves that this type of experimentation can be sustained successfully throughout the course of a large scale release, bringing a fresh look at a gorgeous genre to anyone who dares to listen.

Unconquered opens with “Immobilization,” a gloomy, droning palette-setter. This track is perhaps the least adventurous of the release, working well within the ambient drone framework, and giving drone-hounds a point from which to approach the album. Interestingly, “Immobilization” features the help of Aidan Baker, an artist whose work is emblematic of the current state of ambient-drone work. Between the title (a commentary on the state of thisquietarmy's peers?), Baker's support, and its place as album opener, the track is best seen as a skillfully-arranged set-up for the more daring efforts to come. 

One of the most obvious areas of divergence from thisquietarmy's peers is the implementation of drums within the guitar-based soundscapes. No, drums are not unheard of within the genre, and yes, they have appeared previously within the artist's back catalog, but their implementation has never been so essential to a release. Tracks like the epic “Battlefield Arkestrah” and the incredible closer “Empire” absolutely thrive on the addition of drums to the already complex soundscape. At first, it may seem that adding the drums throws out the subtlety that is prized above all else, for the measured, powerful drum beats provide easy access to the meat of the track. Successive listens, however, reveal that the drums complete the tracks, adding a layer of depth by making the tracks more accessible – allowing the drums to draw you in creates a pleasant experience, but delving deeper into the mix offers even more rewards. It's like skillful use of rhyme in poetry – the rhyme makes the poem more accessible and easier on the ear, while adding depth through the precise choice of scheme and diction within the work. This seemingly simple addition offers a wealth of rewards that few have been able to capitalize upon so powerfully and effortlessly. 

The defining risk thisquietarmy takes on Unconquered, the one every listener will have to deal with and every critic will discuss, is the addition of vocals on “The Great Escapist.” The vocals are unexpected and jarring on the first listen, seemingly coming out of nowhere and cutting through the atmosphere of the track – after all, this isn't Hammock, and no one would have expected the track to develop the way it does. Further listens lessen the shock of the vocals, and they become a pleasing presence within the track. I do wish, pleasing as the addition may be, that the vocals would have been made to fit within the drone rather than in front of it – either by mixing them lower, or adding some reverb, something to bring the two together into a pleasing whole, rather than opposing each other. 

Unconquered is a fitting name for the release – it presents unheard-of territory within the confines of the ambient-drone subgenre, and quickly thisquietarmy claims it as his own. The release is so fresh, so satisfying, that it makes you wonder why no one else has tried any of this (on this scale) before. I can't answer that question, but I do know this: there will be a lot of artists following in the footprints left by this album. It may not be a perfect album, but the most adventurous ones never are – perfection requires a commitment that musical explorers cannot make, and to fault them for pushing the boundaries of genre is to have gravely mistaken priorities. There is still so much territory left unconquered by experimental musicians, and hopefully this release will inspire more daring, more risk taking within every genre, rather than merely trying to claim and develop ground that has already been covered. thisquietarmy has set the bar – can you reach it?

-Zach Mills