The Pyramid - The Tannhäuser Gate

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

The Pyramid’s The Tannhäuser Gate is a sumptuous, detailed, emotionally impactful and image-rich evocation of the incredible scale and unbelievable beauty of stellar space. The artist creates deeply moving music that paints rich imagery and takes hold of my emotions, filling me with a myriad of sensations and feelings. I am drawn into the amazing creation this album represents as it unfolds.

Melody is at the heart of The Tannhäuser Gate. The Pyramid is a masterful composer of melodic lines and this mastery allows him to grip me and fill my heart as each track evolves. These are melodies that are instantly memorable with an immediacy and impact that is hard to overstate. The way in which the artist’s melodic writing transports me to colossal star fields, weaving through melancholy, triumph and aspiration is a testament to his exceptional ability.

Another crucial element of The Tannhäuser Gate is the way that The Pyramid utilizes his array of synthesizer elements. This music is a feast of tonal colors, textural complexity and a plethora of luscious timbres. On top of this, the synthesizer instrument choices enhance the melodic writing’s impact. The interaction of all these sounds carries me away to far-flung worlds and awe-inspiring galactic vistas.

The mood and atmosphere that permeate The Tannhäuser Gate are evocative and undeniably touching. I actually find it difficult to articulate the way this music impacts me, which, as my readers know, is not a common issue for me. There is something profoundly affecting and ardently emotive in the sensations of grandeur and the way that The Pyramid conveys the scale of the universe alongside the fragility of our ephemeral lives.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Overture” starts as a desolate wind blows and softly glistening synth flashes out with increasing strength. The melody it carries is heroic and bursts with motivation as it unfurls above the slowly ticking drums. The drums and bass now guide the music as the glimmering notes dance in noble lines.

A sense of forward progress and life fills the main melody as chimes ring out with fragile luminosity and the bass and drums throb in guiding motion. The main melody is carried on a refulgent synth that sings with gentle majesty above the low end. I am drawn to the way ethereal light pours from the melody, adding inspiration to the track.

The metallic chimes flicker delicately as the smoothly tumbling synth is joined by the desolate wind. Illumination fills the synth as it descends in cascades, doubled by the chimes as they entangle. In the distance, solar brightness swells from the lead synth as the victorious notes cry out, carrying me away on a wave of thrilling, uplifting energy. The track fills with ancient power and fades into quiet.

Reverent, delicately washing notes open “At The Tannhäuser Gate.” Hollow, echoing synth calls out above a solidly pulsating low end. A gleaming, brassy synth sings out in a jubilant and uplifting melody that wafts above cleanly throbbing drums and bass.

There's a wonderful energy and positivity in the melody which draws me in. Choral-sounding notes move below the majestically inspirational melody as twinkling chimes dance above propulsive drums and bass. A robotic voice moves in the distance and the drums pulse along briefly before the throbbing bass returns.

Now the melody is carried on a blissfully singing, scintillating synth. The track moves into a minor key section in which fragile synth gently flits through as drums tap. The main melody soars in again, rich with uplifting sensations and encouragement while the percussion and bass shape the music. Hope fills the music and my heart swells with it as glistening notes add sunlight. A shaping pulsation moves below before the song ends.

“Into the Unknown” commences with a ringing, bell-like sound and a sweeping flow. A tightly wound, slowly moving synth carries a touching and heartbroken melody. The bass descends with rumbling weight as the slowly unfolding melody echoes through the music with a profound sense of loss.

The bass adds an ominous quality, while reverent notes shimmer in the distance and the main melody calls out with paind. A worshipful light in the distance creates a more meditative feeling as the main melody carries with it a melancholy tinge. Warmer chords add roundness and the main melody captures me, carrying me across a vast expanse of twinkling stars—still painful but limned with a sense of possibility.

As the track unfolds, a growing feeling of potential change moves through the music. I find myself drawn to this mingled set of emotions, enjoying how the artist evokes them. A softly gleaming sound in the distance touches the brightly flaring lead synth, carrying the melody that reaches for the stars while still capturing mournful feelings within it.

There’s a positive twist to the sound now as it sings with more encouragement. A shadow falls over the melody as the bass descends further into the depths and a ringing sound trembles before the lead melody flickers briefly. Computerized sounds roam above the truly gigantic bass and the track ends.

Dramatically sweeping synth moves as metallic noises bubble out and chiming notes flash, while wobbling sounds wriggle to kick off “Starlight.” Strangely bending sounds move with galactic echoes, while surrounding, gliding notes cry out above the alien sounds flipping through the background. Chimes sparkle with luscious luminosity and the gliding lead synth carries a gently touching melody, weaving images of stars twinkling far away.

A sense of tranquility permeates my being as the bass rumbles and the oddly wandering sounds writhe. The main melody holds a melancholic sensation, intertwined with something more triumphant. The overall impression left by this music is one of sadness—witnessing worlds fade and lives disappear as the stars continue to glitter, aloof and unconcerned. The floating sounds tremble and the luminous main melody carries me along, dreaming and full of contemplation, transporting me.

The chimes exude cosmic light while worshipful sounds hover in the distance. I am deeply moved by the sensations within the music, filling me with an ineffable sense of loss and longing. The alien sounds continue to roll until silence falls.

“Gravity Waves” begins with a tumbling bass pulse and slipping synth that rises with a steady glow, like a distant star cluster. The bass trembles and ripples outward in easy motion, while the raised notes shimmer like distant light, flowing as the bass continues to undulate and glide like a rushing current. The elevated, glittering synth carries a thoughtful and calming melody.

This music, filled with the vastness and nobility of galactic vistas, draws me inward. Sparkling notes in the distance flicker as the broadly illuminating synth carries the pensive, dreamy melody above the hugely revolving low end. Visions of distant nebulae dance in my mind as I am transported through the universe, guided by the artist’s musical expression.

The main melody is simultaneously yearning and serene, enveloping me in its depth and intensity. The bass continues to rumble as the smoothly sliding melody sings out with deep spiritual feeling, evoking a profound sense of wonder at the unimaginable scale of the universe. An epic quality, in the best sense of the word, fills the track with strength as it unfolds and fades into quiet.

Serenity emanates from the massive notes as a drum heartbeat opens “Cosmic Journey.” The sweeping synth carries a melody that evokes images of starships glinting in the light of unknown galaxies, drifting through starfields as they venture across the universe.

Panpipes breathe out with airy energy, while the melody calls out, bursting with heart-lifting sensations and carrying my mind away to mysterious planets and ancient civilizations. As the panpipes exhale, the drums and bass propel the music forward, the main melody climbing on victorious wings and gliding outward with nobility and pride.

A choral synth adds a compelling feeling, while windy sounds sweep past. The main melody grabs me by the heart and refuses to let go, filling my mind with dreams of exploration across strange worlds and stunning planetary vistas. The entire track explodes with sensations of adventure, journeying and boundless excitement.

There’s also a tremulous gentleness to the music, balancing its feelings of majesty and power. The slightly bending lead synth carries tremendous strength, transporting the listener to the bridge of a massive space cruiser, watching the spiral arms of a timeless galaxy appear on the horizon.

“Intergalactic” begins with a distantly metallic sound that hangs above colossal chords, opening into a vast, empty void. Strange, bending tones move through the mix as a thudding kick drum echoes. A steadily shivering synth weaves its way through the music, medium-high rebounding notes wandering as breathy sounds drift into lambent chords that arise like celestial phenomena.

A solar wind drifts past, accompanied by roaming, tremulous sounds that flit and shimmer. An airily beaming synth carries a delicately twirling arpeggio, while broader notes ascend into a triumphantly majestic melody. The feelings of excitement and victory that rise within me are deeply moving, drawing me into the song’s immersive atmosphere.

A sharp-edged, gleaming synth evokes massive galactic vistas opening before me. The snare drum adds another layer of energy, shaping the music as a widely turning arpeggio shines with cosmic luminosity. The main melody climbs on a synth that sweeps with magisterial strength, its warmth enveloping me.

Drums and bass provide structure as the slightly melancholic but adventurous melody calls out, evoking images of planetary rings and distantly twinkling nebulae. Nobility and a sense of wonder permeate the music, carrying the song to its stirring conclusion.

Tranquility pours from a widely glowing synth as breathy sounds infuse the music to begin “Between Stars.” The main melody is carried on a synth that bursts with brilliance, aching and full of affecting sentiments. Gigantic percussion collides as a slowly ticking drum moves beneath the melody, which reaches out to me with its intensely yearning and aspiring sensations, invoking visions of distant stars twinkling with ancient light.

There’s a melancholic quality, despite the rising strength and nobility of the melody, reflecting the lonely emptiness surrounding the stars. A soaring feeling grows in my chest as the melody unfolds, lifting me up and transporting me across the measureless distances of space. The low-end pulsation adds to the exultant feeling within the music, while exhaling sounds wander as the track unfolds. I am imbued with a sense of joy and tenderness as the music transmits intense emotions to me.

As the melody rises above the propulsive percussion, my heart lifts and my soul flies free. This music is anthemic and carries me away from the brokenness of this world.

“Black Hole” begins as a solar wind flows and a lightly flashing synth carries a tragic melody above a looming bass. The melody is tentative, exuding hurt and wistful imaginings, as whispering sounds trickle in the distance. The bass towers beneath, while lightly trickling notes trip past with gossamer fragility and the main melody calls out with aching sensations. Hollow sounds add a gem-like quality, while the tightly wound synth carries the main melody—desolate and distant—above the immense bass.

Warmth begins to creep into the melody now, adding a more reassuring sensation. The melody captures me with its incredible depth of expression, while the hollow notes hover far off as the bass glides. Trembling sounds slip past and the lead synth melody swells, expressing calming yet mournful feelings as it moves forward.

Like many tracks on this album, this music is deeply full of mingled impressions, weaving between tragedy and triumph. As the song ends, I continue to ride its rich tides.

Rain falls and haunting sounds wander as a massive bass flow begins “Like Tears In Rain.” Tragically drifting notes tremble out into the rain as the bass rumbles slowly. The melody is full of pain and sadness as a string-like sound rises, while the bass continues to plane out beneath the other elements.

Fragile notes sparkle into the vastness around them. Chords in the background add a pained warmth. The strings cry out again and the slowly roaming melody captures loss and tentative hope in a way that moves me deeply as the bass shifts powerfully.

The melody’s tiny motes of light are overwhelmed by the washing bass as it flows like a galactic tide. The synth chords are melancholy and massive, while glittering notes shine through the music as the rain continues to fall. The track concludes as the shimmering notes fade into the distance.

“So Long!” begins as metallic sounds echo and a piano carries a gossamer melody, soothing and mild as it slips above the slowly undulating bass. The piano is full of affection and grace. Soft sounds roll in the distance as the solar wind blows and the piano conveys feelings that make my heart ache and soar simultaneously.

Sharp-edged, glowing synth now joins with the melody, imbued with feelings that bring tears to my eyes. There’s something heartfelt and pure in the music, drawing me inward. In the background, shiny synth rises as the melody unfolds, carrying me along through wistful memory and gentle caring. All of the sonic elements create a caressing environment that cradles me and brings me tranquility.

Like all the most beautiful things in life, there is a mixture of yearning and joy as the string-like sounds shiver and the main melody floats out into the vastness around it, full of that strange thing we call humanity. The track concludes, leaving me deeply touched.

Conclusion

The Tannhäuser Gate, in my opinion, is the apotheosis of The Pyramid’s work, drawing together all the elements I’ve enjoyed over the years and adding an extraordinary dimension of emotional depth and power. Each time I listen to The Tannhauser Gate, I am transported across the unfathomable depths and unimaginably beautiful expanses of this remarkable universe in which we are privileged to exist.