<img src="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/wesprofile.jpg" alt="" width="171" height="114" align="left" />Hidden Shoal Recordings is proud to announce <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=199">the official release</a> of the third album by American ambient craftsman <a title="Wes Willenbring" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/artists/wes-willenbring/">Wes Willenbring</a>, <a title="Weapons Reference Manual" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=199"><em>Weapons Reference Manual</em></a>.

As a further progression from his acclaimed debut <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=38"><em>Somewhere Someone Else</em></a> and his stunning sophomore album <a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=125"><em>Close, But Not Too Close</em></a>, <em>Weapons Reference Manual</em> features a varied and richly hued palette of visceral guitar tones, effects-warped textures and achingly beautiful piano work. Immersive and darkly emotive soundscapes, such as droning opener ‘Dreams and Schemes’ and the 15-minute epic ‘Quaaludes’, are counterbalanced by seductively melodic pieces, such as ‘People Disappear Everyday’ and closing track ‘Ashes’. Meanwhile, single ‘Consequences of Recklessness’ is <em>Weapons Reference Manual’s</em> shimmering centrepiece, setting icicles of delayed guitar amid an aching tapestry of drones and feedback. It sets the tone for the album as a whole, perhaps Willenbring’s most complex and satisfying release to date.

<em> “a gorgeous ambient album … a serene, hypnotic and majestic soundscape suitable for daydreaming... hauntingly beautiful atmospheric compositions”</em> – <strong>Delusion Of Adequacy on <em>Close, But Not Too Close</em> </strong>

<em>“Absolutely gorgeous. Dreamy dark meandering melancholia for fans of Stars Of The Lid, Eluvium, Dead Texan, Tim Hecker, Godspeed and other purveyors of darkly dramatic, abstract moody minimalism”</em> – <strong>Aquarius Records on <em>Somewhere Someone Else</em></strong>

<a href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=199"><em>Weapons Reference Manual</em></a> is available now on CD and digital download. The CD release comes as a numbered limited edition of 200. There are still CD units left after the initial pre-orders but be quick as numbers are limited. Check out the <a title="Weapons Reference Manual" href="http://www.hiddenshoal.com/wp-content/uploads/index.php?main_page=product_info&amp;cPath=20&amp;products_id=199">Hidden Shoal Store</a> for all details.

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