Ten Meditations, by The Hermit Monks

Ten Meditations

by The Hermit Monks

supported by

Elvendandelion Lost in an enchanted meditation, you sit still, your eyes open and close slowly as you slowly find yourself in the forest.

nahadoth Conjure music, plain and simple.

An Goblin sublime pastoral ambience

Evergreen These ten meditations certainly serve as the perfect backdrop to wandering gardens and groves with deep contemplation. Yet another wonderful piece of music from Ellis.

	/

Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

Purchasable with gift card

£4 GBP or more

1.	Yew-bound Stone 03:51	buy track
2.	The Chapter House 02:55	buy track
3.	Valley of Secrecy 04:16	buy track
4.	The Divine Silent 05:34	buy track
5.	Forgotten Altar 04:16	buy track
6.	Solitudes 02:20	buy track
7.	Tenebris 03:00	buy track
8.	Starlit Dew 03:42	buy track
9.	For Those Who Dwelt 03:04	buy track
10.	Windows to the North 07:59	buy track

about

Earlier this year, on the recommendation of local guitarist Des Davies (of the space rock/kraut rock band Moon Goose) I went to find the secretive and overlooked Craswall Priory, a 13th Century ruin in a valley in South West Herefordshire...

"Away in the wilds, nestling in this lovely valley, far from the madding crowd, and surrounded by its park—the everlasting hills—a confused mass of ruins is all that remains of the Priory of Craswall. It was founded by Roger de Lacy in the year 1220, of a family who gave largely to the monastic establishments in this and adjoining counties. The church was dedicated to St. Mary, and three priests and ten monks were settled here. The Priory was subordinate to the Abbey of Grandmont in Normandy, and for more than two hundred years the establishment flourished".
-
Craswall Priory by C.J.Lilwall

...I was struck by a feeling of solitude and stillness about the Priory; feelings that I would normally associate with woodlands, valleys and mountains (and have written music about as Sunken Grove) - this was different and I could not identify why.
The Yew trees growing into the lichen covered walls, the solid coolness of the altar and piscina that had seen many hundreds of winters all conveyed a devotional timelessness. I also was aware of the living elements of the place; sheep grazing peacefully, a thrush smashing a snail on a stone, and the alpine strawberries thriving on the wall of the Cloister. I felt welcome here and lucky to be exploring this historic, natural and sacred threshold.

With several more visits in the ensuing months, I collected various field recordings of bird song and the stream running by the Priory. I set myself the challenge of using one keyboard for the entirety of the release, and to coax 8-bit, crunchy textures from a tape of choral music.. Christmas Hymns I believe?
Ten Meditations varies from more dungeon synth style tracks to minimal, drone and dark ambient moments. That being said, I hope you like it for what it is.

Equipment: Roland SP-404, Casio SK-1, field recordings, bells, chimes and other objects.

Ten Meditations is a one-off release by The Hermit Monks (Ellis Green of Sunken Grove, Winter Seer and Oaklimb). There will be a limited run of tapes in the not too distant future released by Verdant Wisdom.

credits

released October 28, 2023

With thanks to:

Francesca, Chris, Jack, Des (for the recc), all the folks who support and encourage me with various projects.
A special thank you and dedication to Brian McBride for inspiring my ambient trajectories and shaping me as a musician - rest in peace.

license

about

The Hermit Monks England, UK

Ambient music from the Welsh Border, inspired by the History of Craswall Priory in South Herefordshire and the lives of the Monks who lived there.

contact / help

Contact The Hermit Monks

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like The Hermit Monks, you may also like:

Spellwind
by Fogweaver

supported by 13 fans who also own “Ten Meditations”

I met Fogweaver through Vedurnan and, later, Magelight. This more energetic take on their music is wonderful and exciting, a compelling twist bearing their unique signature. emanuele127
go to album
Vedurnan
by Fogweaver

supported by 13 fans who also own “Ten Meditations”

If nostalgia for an age where creatures of myth walked together with the children of men had a soundtrack, this album would be it. Also, a touching reminder that we can forego wealth and power for wilderness and freedom, if we so choose. emanuele127
go to album
flies the coop II
by Hole Dweller

supported by 12 fans who also own “Ten Meditations”

It's a masterpiece. The sound is incredibly evocative. I have a memory of listening to this whilst walking in thick December fog past an illuminated country church that will stick with me for a long time. Oliver Semple
go to album
Let Me Out of History
by Our Friend the Sun

Beautifully hushed compositions employ ambient keys, tender acoustic guitars, and atmospherics in songs that reflect on the last year. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 22, 2021
go to album
Memory Thirteen
by Dead Bandit

This Chicago (where else?) post-rock group builds wafting atmospheric ambient out of slow drums and a shimmering churn of droning guitars. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 30, 2024
go to album
Vol. IX: Music for Cello and Nyckelharpa
by benjin

A fascinating musical conversation between the cello and its lesser-known cousin, the nyckelharpa. Bandcamp New & Notable Oct 15, 2022
go to album
Dreamspell Athenaeum
by Keys to Oneiria

supported by 12 fans who also own “Ten Meditations”

My favorite Keys to Oneiria release so far virdeus
go to album