11 tracks. Running time 57:49 The sixth album -- Hydra -- by Pete Kelly, recording under the moniker Igneous Flame, harks back to his darker sound sculpture albums like Oxana. This time the aural environment is elemental and pervaded by a feeling of mystery and gloomy spaces. The use of binaural environmental recordings and spatial effects (best appreciated on headphones) add to atmosphere. Again Pete's choice of a minimalist album title reflects the unfussy nature of the music. The first piece called “Selene” takes us to what feels like an underground world where spooky washed out vocals (by Mary Whitaker) form and deform along with other ethereal sonics. These are only broken up by a harsh industrial interlude towards the end. Igneous Flame is an appropriate name for these particular recording projects of Pete Kelly. The sounds are somewhat primeval yet are also nebulous since the sound seems to pervade the space around you. In a strange way it's everywhere but nowhere like a fog. In “Colour my World” a dull textured drone slowly swells over the soundscape before dissipating into cloudy refrains. Later in the background becomes a little watery and the tones more varied skirting in and out of the foreground. Over the album we hear tones ranging from dark and resonant to gaseous or glassy. It's the sounds themselves as much as how they're put together which makes this an absorbing album. There's no need for rhythm or melody when your mind can just flow freely and smoothly with the sounds. Pete Kelly can be relied upon to create something familiar to but different from what he's done before. Hydra warrants repeated and concentrated listening, though it also works for casual listening. This is a superior ambient work by a sonic craftsman that gets my recommendation.