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From Strings to the Skies: The Icy Northan World of Building The Cathedral
If you are looking for some relaxing and atmospheric music to soothe your soul, you might want to check out Building The Cathedral, an ambient music project by Wraith Racasan. Building The Cathedral started in 1999 in South Yorkshire, England, and has been creating beautiful and haunting soundscapes ever since.
Why should you listen to Building The Cathedral?
If you are a fan of ambient music or curious about exploring new sounds and sensations, you should give Building The Cathedral a try. You might find yourself immersed in a sonic world that is both familiar and unfamiliar, both comforting and unsettling. You might discover new emotions and thoughts that you didn’t know you had. You might feel like you are traveling through time and space without leaving your room
Who is Building The Cathedral?
Building The Cathedral is the brainchild of Wraith Racasan, a musician and composer who uses a guitar with both normal and midi pickups to create his sound. Wraith Racasan says he was inspired to name his project Building The Cathedral after he was sitting in his garden and could hear the noise of a train pulling empty wagons on a nearby train line. He says the crashes and bangs and grinding sound all affected by the natural reverb caused by the distance made it all sound like a massive cathedral being built.
Building The Cathedral’s music has picked up a lot of the industrial flavor of the grim dark satanic mills feel of the area in which it was created. Wraith Racasan says he likes to explore the contrast between the natural and the artificial, the organic and the mechanical, the sacred and the profane. He says he tries to create a sense of space and depth in his music by using a lot of natural and synthetic textures on top of which he puts some beautiful e-bowed and heavily effected guitar.
His influences are artists such as Robert Fripp and Brian Eno
Collaborations
Wraith Racasan started his musical journey with a new wave band called Hinterland, which was influenced by the likes of Joy Division, The Cure and Bauhaus. He played guitar and keyboards, and also wrote some of the songs. Hinterland disbanded in 1995 due to creative differences.
He has been involved with a few different projects such as creating a score for the film The Last Dreamer (2004).
And he has done a lot of work with Jamie O’Callaghan a very talented musician who is currently doing a lot of very beautiful harp music around his home in the Netherlands
Discography
Building the Cathedral has released seven albums so far, each with its own theme and mood. Here is a brief introduction to each album.
– Building the Cathedral (2004) is the debut album of the project, and it showcases Wraith Racasan’s unique style of ambient guitar music. The album consists of ten tracks that blend natural and synthetic textures with beautiful bowed guitar melodies. The album is a journey into the mysterious and mystical world of some surreal society in the process of Building the Cathedral.
– Under the Aurora (2005) is the second album of Building the Cathedral, and it is inspired by Wraith Racasan’s move to Finland. The album captures the beauty and wonder of the northern lights, as well as the cold and dark winter nights. The album features more electronic elements than the previous one, as well as some vocal samples and field recordings. The album is a tribute to Wraith Racasan’s new home and its natural wonders.
– A Gathering of Dark Angels (2006) is the third album of Building the Cathedral, and it is a darker and more sinister work than the previous ones. The album explores the themes of death, decay, and evil, using distorted guitars, eerie noises, and haunting voices. The album is influenced by Wraith Racasan’s fascination with gothic literature and horror movies. The album is a nightmare in sound form.
– 12 Moons (2008) is the fourth album of Building the Cathedral, and it is a concept album based on the lunar cycle. The album consists of 12 tracks, each representing a different phase of the moon and its effects on human emotions and behavior. The album ranges from calm and soothing to tense and chaotic, depending on the moon’s position. The album is a reflection of Wraith Racasan’s interest in astronomy and mythology.
– Twisting in the Divine Winds (2010)The notion of The Divine Winds encompasses both the concept of powerful natural phenomena as well as spiritual belief. In Japanese culture, kaminari (thunder) and fuji (wind) are forces of nature with divine power. However, The Divine Winds take on a more metaphorical meaning beyond their physical manifestation.
– The Winter Gate (2011) is the sixth album of Building the Cathedral, The winter gate is an exploration of the feelings invoked by the start of winter in a Nordic country. It considers the sadness of the end of the year and the joys of the winter experience and its different aspects, the first snowfall, the frozen lake, the cozy fireplace, the northern lights, the solstice night, and the new year’s dawn.
– The Vault of Heaven (2013) is the seventh album of Building the Cathedral, this is an ethereal journey into the captivating embrace of the dark polar winter nights. This ambient music album unveils the hidden wonders of these serene nights, where unbelievably bright stars and mesmerizing auroras paint the sky with their celestial brush strokes.
Equipment
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Wraith Racasan is known for employing a variety of equipment and instruments to create the distinctive sound of Building The Cathedral.
His arsenal includes a Les Paul Guitar, which serves as the foundation of his guitar work. To enhance the versatility of his playing, he incorporates the Roland GK-3 Pickup, enabling him to blend traditional guitar tones with electronic elements.
In terms of effects, Wraith Racasan employs the MORLEY MTMV2 20/20 Volume Plus to add dynamic swells to his compositions. The Line 6 Toneport USB audio system further expands its sonic possibilities by providing a range of digital effects and amp simulations. Additionally, he utilizes Native Instruments Guitar Rig Pro, a powerful software suite that allows for extensive sound manipulation and experimentation.
For creating ethereal and atmospheric textures, Wraith Racasan utilizes the Ebow Plus Electronic Bow, which enables him to sustain notes and produce haunting sounds. And to add a touch of classic guitar tone, he incorporates a Gibson SG Standard Guitar, known for its rich and powerful sound.
By skillfully combining these instruments and equipment, Wraith Racasan crafts a unique sonic landscape for Building The Cathedral, incorporating both natural and synthetic textures that contribute to the project’s ambient and industrial aesthetic.
Conclusion
Building The Cathedral is not just music. It is an experience. It is a journey into the unknown. It is a way of building your own cathedral in your mind and Wraith Racasan is one of the most original and innovative ambient musicians of our time. His music is not only beautiful and captivating, but also meaningful and inspiring. He is truly building a cathedral of sound that transcends time and space..
If you are interested in listening to his music, you can find his albums on Bandcamp or Amazon. I hope you enjoyed this blog post about Building the Cathedral.
Where to find Some music:
Building The Cathedral FAQ
**Q: What is Building The Cathedral?**
A: Building The Cathedral is an ambient music project that was started in 1999 by Wraith Racasan in South Yorkshire, England. It combines natural and synthetic textures with heavily affected guitar work to create a unique atmospheric sound.
**Q: How did Building The Cathedral get its name?**
A: Wraith Racasan derived the name “Building The Cathedral” when he was sitting in his garden and could hear the noise of a train pulling empty wagons on a nearby train line. The crashes, bangs, and grinding sounds, along with the natural reverb caused by the distance, resembled a massive cathedral being constructed.
**Q: What equipment does Wraith Racasan use in Building The Cathedral?**
A: Wraith Racasan uses a guitar equipped with both a normal pickup and a MIDI pickup. This setup allows him to blend the traditional guitar sound with electronic elements and create a diverse range of textures.
**Q: How would you describe the musical style of Building The Cathedral?**
A: Building The Cathedral’s music is heavily influenced by the industrial and grim atmosphere of the satanic mills in the area where it was created. It incorporates elements of ambient, industrial, and experimental genres, creating a dark and atmospheric sonic landscape.
**Q: Where can I listen to Building The Cathedral’s music?**
A: Building The Cathedral’s music may be available on various online music platforms, such as streaming services or digital music stores. It is recommended to search for “Building The Cathedral” or Wraith Racasan’s name on these platforms to find their music.
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