What makes Liberation Through Hearing by Demdike Stare notable?

The album received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to dark ambient music, featured in notable publications like The Wire. Its influence can be seen in the subsequent rise of atmospheric electronic artists who sought to emulate its complex sound design and immersive qualities. Released in 2010, Liberation Through Hearing is Demdike Stare's second studio album, following their debut, Symbiosis. At this point in their career, the duo was solidifying their presence in the experimental electronic music scene, building on the acclaim from their earlier work and exploring deeper sonic landscapes.

How many songs are on Liberation Through Hearing?

Liberation Through Hearing has 6 tracks, running approximately 44 minutes.

Liberation Through Hearing

Demdike Stare · 2010

44 min · 6 tracks · electronic music

A haunting blend of dark ambient textures and immersive electronic soundscapes that evoke a surreal auditory experience.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Eurydice — This track exemplifies the album's ethereal quality, combining dissonant sounds with a pulsing rhythm that creates an entrancing atmosphere perfect for deep listening.
→
Bardo Thodol — Named after the Tibetan Book of the Dead, this track delves into themes of transition and transformation, showcasing the duo's ability to weave narrative depth into their soundscapes.
→
Caged in Stammheim — The opening track sets a foreboding tone with its unsettling drones and layered textures, immediately immersing listeners in the album's dark thematic exploration.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

75 /100

Alpine

Higher than 98% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive soundscapes and innovative use of texture create a compelling listening experience.

What we noticed

Each track features long, evolving soundscapes that gradually build layers of texture, creating a sense of depth and immersion.
The album employs minimal rhythmic elements, focusing instead on atmospheric drones and subtle shifts in tone.
Several tracks incorporate field recordings and manipulated samples, adding an organic quality to the electronic textures.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 9/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Caged in Stammheim 5:18
2 Eurydice 8:07
3 Regolith 5:59
4 The Stars Are Moving 8:36
5 Bardo Thodol 5:35
6 Matilda's Dream 11:12

What to play next

Listen next

Tryptych

2011

Go back to

Symbiosis

2009

Full Demdike Stare discography Artists like Demdike Stare

dark ambient

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata