Dark ambient music is characterized by an absence of any structured melody or recurring rhythm. Instead of traditional song structure, dark ambient composers aim to create dense "soundscapes" made up of snatches of sound and music layered on top of each other to create an epic and frequently eerie or dark effect. Dark ambient music is usually created with samples and electronic effects instead of instruments, but Cold Electric Fire is an exception. Both albums by Cold Electric Fire feature traditional musical instruments used in unusual ways.
"Process One" is the second track on Cold Electric Fire's eponymous first recording. "Process Two" is the fifth track. Process One is one minute and eleven seconds long, and Process Two is two minutes and seventeen seconds long. Both tracks were composed and recorded by Gary Tedder on a four-track. The instruments used on this album include the violin, the cello, the organ and both acoustic and electric guitars, as well as a theremin. The album also uses tape loops and other electronic effects typical of dark ambient music.
Other tracks on the album "Cold Electric Fire," besides the two versions of "Process," include "In Passing," "Cultivate Your Growl," "Wild Fire," "Tailor," "Sightless" and "Alchemist." The CD of "Cold Electric Fire" is still available online. In addition, Cold Electric Fire's second album "In Nights Dream We Are Ghosts" is also still available, so fans of either version of "Process" can still find additional music by Cold Electric Fire.
Both albums by Cold Electric Fire have received enthusiastic reviews from critics of dark ambient music, who have described the band as original and very personal, and have noted composer Gary Tedder's unusual decision to work with real instruments instead of relying exclusively on electronic sound samples. Although "Process One" and "Process Two," like everything else by Cold Electric Fire, were recorded on a four-track, a reviewer of "In Nights Dream We Are Ghosts" mentions that the sound quality is higher than one would expect for that recording medium, and describes Gary Tedder as a "mastermind."