Hirschbrunnen. delving

Upon hearing the track that was released as a single, 'The Reflection Pool', I became really curious to hear Hirschbrunnen. I was not disappointed, in any imaginable way. This album is a showcase of exquisite tastes and fantastic imagination.

Like the rest of the world, Nick DiSalvo, known foremost for his work with the band Elder, had to go into lockdown. Just like all people, to put it binary, he could complain about how bad things were or start doing what he always had dreamed of doing, in his case record a long-wished for solo album. In the form of Hirschbrunnen (Stag Fountain) it has seen the light of day, under the name delving.

On the album a whole range of influences come together that over the years have made an impression on DiSalvo. So do not be surprised if you get the impression to be walking around in a practice studio where from every cabin a different sort of music can be heard. In one room there's progrock, in another synth tracks are created, another cabin hosts a more jazz rock oriented band, not to forget the heavy rock band, etc. On Hirschbrunnen it is all brought together in seven, mostly, long tracks, within which DiSalvo brings together all these influences, moods and a little magic to make things shine.

Hirschbrunnen is a collection of snippets of music, ideas, compositions, riffs, etc., that DiSalvo had collected throughout the years and now have been brought together as a collection of instrumental tracks. The only amazing thing I find, is how consistent the album sounds, despite its diffuse origins. DiSalvo has worked hard to make it a whole. This already struck me listening to 'The Reflection Pool' in May, a single of 9.30 minutes no less, but is kept up on Hirschbrunnen as a whole.

Promo photo

In each song you will find an unexpected twist, changing the mood, texture and structure of the song. Changing your mood as well, simply because the music affects you. It is hard not to be affected when listening as intensely as Hirschbrunnen invites you to do. There are no lyrics or vocal melodies to follow. Although I love to sing, listening to this album I realise how distracting vocals can be to the rest of the song. Here I can follow every single aspect of delving's music. Listen how the tension within a song is built up, hidden in the giant layers of noise that e.g. is mixed in the middle and background of 'The Reflection Pool'. In the studio it must have been eardrum splitting.

With the exception of an additional guitar played by Mike Risberg, on three tracks, Nick DiSalvo plays all instruments. It all sounds impressive, making the album even more impressive because of this achievement as well. I'm sure that not a single sound is not in its place. Each a well thought out component of the whole that Hirschbrunnen is.

Summing up, and mind this is coming from someone who does not as a hobby listen to instrumental albums, Hirschbrunnen is an album full of intriguing details and beauty. At times as forceful as it is dreamy. A combination that is hard to present successfully in music. delving does just that.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and buy Hirschbrunnen here:

https://delving-music.bandcamp.com/album/hirschbrunnen

or listen to our Spotify Playlist to find out what we are writing about:

https://open.spotify.com/user/glazu53/playlist/6R9FgPd2btrMuMaIrYeCh6?si=KI6LzLaAS5K-wsez5oSO2g