Mercurius (2018)

"Steve Roach's Mercurius consists of four sparse, slowly drifting ambient pieces, two of which are nearly half-an-hour each. The tone is reserved and slightly melancholy, but it doesn't quite approach the threshold of dark ambient -- perhaps "gray ambient" would be more accurate. Roach's synth melodies are cloaked in gaseous echo, and they continuously ebb and flow like waves. There's a deeply spiritual motive behind this work, and it's equally fitting as a soundtrack for intense soul-searching as relaxation or slumber. While all of it is awe-inspiring, perhaps the highlight is the mind-altering "Aeon," a three-dimensional sound-sphere which becomes brighter and more mesmerizing toward its finale. Reflecting on a lifetime's worth of experience while considering what's yet to come, Mercurius is a powerful, enriching experience. Not to mention, it's downright astonishing how Roach manages to release several albums per year, four decades into his career, and keep up such a high level of quality." (allmusic.com)