DESCRIPTION:
"Echo Gods' is a superb track from the album 'Analogue Overdose'.
Thomas Fanger and Mario Schönwälder present us a work where rhythm, atmospheres and melody are very well combined. The basic style includes Space and Trance traits. Although there are some slow passages, most of the music has a good rhythm, with a prevalence of the sequencers in the rhythmic structures. This is a powerful work, where the artists contribute their musical talent to achieve a fresh, emotive sonic journey. Fanger and Schönwälder counted with the special collaboration of Lutz Ulbrich, well known for his success in the famous band Ashra Tempel. Ulbricht plays guitar on three tracks.
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Mix half of Keller & Schönwalder with half of Mind Flux, throw in an Ashra guitarist on three tracks and what do you get? A damned fine album that's what! Now this is how retro styled albums should start - with a nice deep pulsating throb. As such 'Analog Moods' is a good choice for opener. A second high register sequence joins it adding a little urgency to the sedate but very moody beginning. Yet another lovely 70s style sequence then emerges as the main focal point. I could 'Overdose' on this style of music all day.
The title for this CD does sum things up nicely but things aren't too over the top. You get sequences by the fist full but there is much more to this album than just sequences- the sounds chosen for instance are spot on sending shivers of pleasure up the spine. You could even say that there is a lot of subtlety but not at the expense of some gratuitous in yer face stuff as well. 'emanoN' is a very short piece containing some nice spooky sounds leading us into 'Und wir gehen in den Club....'. This is the first track on which Lutz Ulbrich guests and as with all the tracks where he is present the combination of musicians turns into instant Ashra. A couple of bouncy sequences, bass rhythm and high hat detail with the guitar providing a gentle but highly tuneful lead make this into a real body mover. There is loads of energy and its very hard to keep the head and feet still. 'Sentimental Moods' is initially a rather melancholy piece with a slow brooding sequence and sympathetic pads but the energy soon increases as more sequences are added. This is another one of those instances however where subtlety is the order of the day. Pulsations abound but its all kept under tight control. Its an extremely beautiful piece of music- one of my favourites on the CD.
'Seilbahn zu den Sternen' makes use of a wonderful slow sequence right from the off. It all very moody with loads of detail and sonic splashes. Would have fitted well on TD's 'Encore'. Lutz Ulbrich comes back for the next two tracks. First up is 'Echo Gods'. Shimmering sounds make way to a fast sequence and looped guitar rif. We hurtle forwards on the back of insistent rhythms. More guitar licks are added and again as with the third track its as if we've slipped straight into an Ashra album. Lutz gives us a lesson in how you can have stunning EM friendly guitar work without wielding the axe. 'First Contact' has an appropriately futuristic, sci-fi type start. A rather boppy sequence starts up as if watching some creature taking clumsy steps. The guitar adds a superb additional dimension to the music. After a bit it all becomes rather hypnotic though there is so much happening in the detail. Small sounds here, effects there- perfection.
The final number, and title track, lasts almost twenty four minutes and is a stonking slab of live brilliance. As with many of the previous tracks its straight into the sequence. Just as this starts to implant itself into your brain you become aware of another one developing underneath but even before that one has chance to fully grow a third splashing one enters giving still more depth. Lead lines start to fizz over the top. This is easily the most Klaus Schulze styled piece on the album- just listen to the leads at the twelve minute mark. Now where were they from, 'Moondawn' perhaps? The music builds and builds becoming more exciting all the time and manages to retain the quality right up until the end. Oh, by the way the CD comes in a round tin can! (DL, www.synthmusicdirect.com)