Ametrom - Club Balkan

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Ametrom’s Club Balkan combines expressive guitar playing, intriguing synth sounds with active electric bass lines and throbbing drums. The end result is an album with a strong percussive heartbeat, laid back sonic sensations and textural, ear-catching synth sounds. The music also showcases Ametrom’s melodic abilities. This is music for a summer’s afternoon, relaxing in a tree’s dappled shade.

The combination of Ametrom’s skilled guitar work and his melody writing abilities strongly appeals to me on Club Balkan. His guitar playing has a loose-limbed ease to it and his guitar tones are mellow and luscious. The way the guitar carries the melodies he’s written helps to enhance their elegant, flowing feeling and lends them extra depth.

Club Balkan’s mix of electric bass with strong drum work is another appealing aspect to the album. The bass playing is lively and creates strong grooves or pulses while the drums provide a steady, shaping and guiding flow to the tracks. I enjoy the sense of life that comes from the electric bass, as opposed to synth bass and the way in which the drums lock into the groove.

Ametrom’s synth selection adds a wonderfully layered quality to the album. His palette is full of many ear-catching sounds with resonant and tender timbres balanced with rougher-sounding synths and elevated sparkles that accent the other sonic elements. In the end, they suit the gliding character of the album while providing enough contrast to keep it interesting.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Catania” comes into being as wide, medium-low and slightly rough-edged synth pulses form a steady pattern doubled by throbbing drums that form a shaping motion underneath. Broad synth pulses oscillate as a guitar with a lush tone carries a warm melody with a gliding ease and an electric bass and steady drumbeat moves the music onward underneath it.

The rich guitar’s melody dances along, full of hope and a smooth groove that I find quite pleasing. Trembling, medium-low synth moves through in slowly flowering notes while the drums and wide synth support the lead guitar’s caressing melody. The track flows into a new segment with a funky bassline sitting in the pocket along with the drums. Slowly descending, elevated synth floats down over a unique, repeating figure carried on a round-sounding synth.

The bass groove is undeniable and the drums are locked in. Descending, raised synths tumble down and a different, hollow synth plays a hypnotic pattern along with the softly tapping cymbal and steady beat. Resonant, medium-low synth carries a bouncing pattern and the broad blocks of medium low synth dance. Now the guitar carries a secondary melodic pattern that’s yearning and energetic over the active drums underneath it before the track ends.

Tremulous, delicate synths vibrate into open space, tinged with a slightly tenuous emotional feeling as “Black Forest” opens. The drums create a propulsive pattern as the electric bass repeats a lick that I find addictive. Elevated, digital-sounding, reverberant synth echoes in brief bursts over top of the bassline.

A smoother, brighter synth flickers in between the fatter, rounded sounds as it becomes a sparkling light dancing in between. The drums have a smooth beat and the bass locks into an easy riding pattern. Now rougher-edged, full-sounding synth echoes out in a slightly melancholy pattern while digital, medium-low synth dances in.

High, intertwining synths flash in shifting patterns and the drums and bass sit in their groove. Trumpeting synth carries a breezy and gentle note pattern over the endlessly active drum and bass pulse before fading on shaking synth sounds.

“Breezy Nyx” starts as rapidly revolving, grit-edged arpeggios move in a dense pattern as the track opens, interlocking in a hypnotic pulse. Solid and sizeable drums form a throbbing beat that interacts with the arpeggios to create unfolding patterns.

Nasal, medium-high synth drifts through in a wandering pulse that is guided by the propulsive nature of the drums and echoing arpeggios. Raised synth flutters out and fades as the drums and bass lock together in the pocket. The drums and bass are an anchor as gritty, medium-low synth cascades down above them.

I am drawn to the way in which this music has a heartbeat to shape it. Now the wide, continually oscillating synth blocks create a repeating pattern that undulates along with the drums and bass, together creating the feeling of continuous motion as elevated sounds vibrate away above it.

Gliding drums and thick bass well up below distant, delicately touching guitar carrying a breezy melody to begin “Sky Mind." The lead guitar has a gleaming tone as it carries a gentle melody, full of tenderness and soothing emotion. I am drawn to the guitar melody’s emotional content here. Drums and bass form a pulsation that carries the music easily along above it.

Hazy synth unfolds and caresses the music as the drums and bass fade out. Glowing synth flares into life in circular pulses that are joined by ticking drums building in energy, and now the guitar flashes back into the music, a lacy swirling tone to it as the gleaming synths flare again and dance out.

Now the lead guitar melody sails ethereally with a relaxing feeling before brassy synth trumpets out in a more energetic line. Brighter synth contrasts with the guitar’s sliding feeling as the drums and bass drop out. Rough-edged, but still warming guitar trembles in slow lines before fading.

“Beats Moderne” kicks off as knotted electric bass intertwines with a smooth percussive pulse that coasts through the music. Resonant, jazz organ notes slowly float in as fluttering chimes move in the distance and gnarly electric bass shapes the music. The melody that the jazz organ carries cruises along with a tinge of melancholy that emphasizes its gentle nature.

Drums and bass interlock underneath to guide the track along. Rising, bright synth clouds swirl and delicately billow over the throbbing beat as soothing organ and soaring synth fly breezily high above. Rough-edged, buzzing synth vibrates over the steady motion of drums and bass before glowing synths rise and the organ-like instrument smoothly moves above the other elements.

Reverberant synth bounces and oscillates into open space in rapidly shifting patterns as “Sudden Head Key” gets started. The drumbeat balances the synth’s wandering feeling with something more grounded. Softly climbing, ethereal synth rises in a tenderly touching line over the richly throbbing note pattern oscillating underneath it along with the pulsing drums.

Rough-edged synth cuts through in sweeping notes that extend below the fragile, fluttering synth as it trembles out. Synth pulses volley and a gently gliding higher instrument trickles in round-sounding notes. Slicing synths move in and the drums and bass act as a shaping guideline for the track.

Now synth with a riverine flow sends a satisfying wave of relaxation over my mind while the drums stutter. Elevated, diaphanous sounds run feather-light fingers out through the track before rapidly shifting, active synth cascades in intertwining patterns and a high sparkle flashes out over the continual drumbeat.

“Wander Vogue” comes to life as gossamer, full-sounding synth drifts and electric bass and drums provide a heartbeat to move the track forward. The synth's lightness is broken into by tight, elevated string-like synth playing a dynamically moving note pattern. Bright, high synth sings an uplifting melodic pattern and the drums keep up their steady influence along with thick bass.

Steadily hissing cymbals touch the music and lush synth moves in a curtailed pattern. Higher synth pops in quick pulses while the electric bass steadily repeats and the drums push the other sonic elements on. Nasal, enfolding synth trembles in aching notes over raised sonic flashes and the steady drumbeat fades.

Conclusion

Club Balkan is an album that puts me at ease and soothes me. I find the music invigorating and stimulating, but it also suits a more settled frame of mind. Ametrom has a fresh, unique approach to making music that I personally enjoy immensely.

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Silicon Empire - New Paradigm

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Silicon Empire’s New Paradigm combines awe-inspiring power with darkness, a tinge of aching emotion and a sense of computerized, mechanized motion. Shadows abound, synths are layered and interlocking and electric guitar adds energy and even more power over the crushing low end elements of the album.

The major sonic elements that make New Paradigm so effective are the truly gargantuan bass and the massive drums. The surging, guttural bass forms a dense tide that propels the music onwards with physical force and the drums batter and charge to increase the energy that permeates the album.  The overall feeling Is one of overwhelming darkness and power.

Another compelling part of New Paradigm is the guitar’s presence on the album. Silicon Empire creates textural, dynamic guitar parts that deepen and strengthen the music as a whole. They possess the same colossal scope and crushing power as the drums and bass, only enhancing the terrifying atmosphere that fills the album and seizes the listener by the ears.

This album also benefits from the interesting synth choices that Silicon Empire has made. The varied tones, timbres and audio textures paint interesting sonic imagery that ranges from howling rage to fragile shimmer. There are moments of that feel pained, triumphant segments and sounds that are heavily textured and aurally corrugated. The end result is a series of layered sounds that come together into a cohesive whole.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“202X AD” starts off as madly oscillating, intertwining arpeggios spin darkly into vast space as a cosmically deep, harsh bass wave growls below. Trumpeting, massive synths echo out as a broken drumbeat stutters into the music. Gritty synth carries a gigantic sonic wall over the battering bass.

Incredible shadowy energy pours from the track as an angular synth streams in and the tripping, throbbing drumbeat is matched by the oscillating sonic rush. Medium-high, glowing synth bursts in dynamically propulsive lines that effectively add an urgent feel to the music. Majestic synth chords rise and flow. A hollow, guitar-like sound echoes out into the density around it and fades on gruff bass and into silence.

Tense, full-sounding synth carries a nervously writhing note pattern quickly into “Electric Hydra’s” open spaces along with a high, steady sound and rough bass. Metallic percussion, like a hammer striking an anvil, is surrounded by slowly tripping drum.

Thunderous electric guitar carries a threatening wall of colossal, low sound to enhance the sheer muscle of the music. Agitated, broadly bright synth carries a trembling line over the electric guitar's snarling dominance. Swirling, rich synth rises to be cut by elevated sounds with a jagged edge as the bass rumbles below.

The guitar’s aggressive sonic attack contrasts with the haunted, mournful sounds flowing above it as the metallic percussion keeps on pulsing. The sonic wall fades to huge bass growling and a tight, high sound that also is subsumed by the tremendous bass weight.

“Global Nervous System” begins with an airy sound as angular, razor-edged bass forms a pulse along with the hammering percussion. A danger-filled guitar sound towers into the music, carrying a lacerating and vibrating line before the steady drum and bass pulse propels the track forward.

The background is full of writhing, swirling sound that has a majestic quality as the percussion’s hammer strikes cut through it. Shredding, slashing guitar carries a ferocious pulse that rams into the music over the heaving drums and bass underneath it. The guitar shakes in agitated lines and now we drift to a wide-open, spectrally floating segment propelled by the relentless beat and battering drums.

I enjoy the guitar’s powerful shine as it slices through the darkness roiling around it. The whole track has a gigantic, urgent surging running through it as the angular bass lacerates. The track end’s on the guitar’s undulating, tidal pulse as the flowing drift behind it fades.

A crushing, guttural bass wall rises with terrible power to open “Mechanized.” A floating, distant synth drifts above the impossibly deep bass. An unbelievably heavy bass surge forms a pulsating pattern over the hard hitting drums and the sound of a hammer ringing on an anvil.

Now intertwining, string like synths trail soft tendrils over the giant mass underneath them. The hollow, drifting sounds that flow through provide a lighter contrast to the dense bass. The airy, spectrally floating higher elements lend the music a pained, lost quality that I find touching. The drums propel the track on, smashing as the bass roils and writhes in clotted, massive lines.

“Godless Prayer” commences as guitar smoothly calls out in a gently unfolding melody that is open and tinged with melancholy as glittering synths flash high above it. Synths sparkle as the guitar is supported the deep bass.  The guitar takes on a sharper edge as flickering motes of light dance through the music.

Guitar reverberates out into open space as the high synth dances and the bass adds extreme depth to the mix. Above the other elements, the full-toned synths flow in an easier feeling line and the rough bass is cut by razor-edged sounds. There’s an effective contrast between the track’s fragile elements and heavier, more shadowy sounds. The way they combine forms a balanced whole in the track.

Expanding, overwhelming bass rumbles out into open space as softly touching, caressing synths shimmer and flash to bring “Phoenix” to life. The bass weight is a physical force while the trickling, metallic sparkle of the higher synths echoes out in tremulous lines.

The bass forms a supremely ferocious pattern as the metallic hammer strikes fall to add more shape and the drums throb. The guitar churns in a grinding line that only increases the weight of the music. Below it the bass is a palpable, angry force that rapidly collides as majestic, gliding synth far above adds a reverent quality to which I am drawn.

Higher synths create delicacy and shine that lifts the music even as the bass and drums create an anchoring force far underneath. The track ends on the cavernous bass and lighter sounds that glide along in contrast.

Conclusion

New Paradigm is an album with presence and power. It unfolds soundscapes that loom and threaten, touched with brief flashes of gentler emotion and permeated by a mechanistic, industrial sensibility. I enjoy the approach that Silicon Empire takes to synth music and hope to hear more from him soon. To learn more about Silicon Empire, find him on Bandcamp here.

Kushna - Ta-Bitjet

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Kushna’s Ta-Bitjet is based around scorpion goddesses from around the world. He weaves together powerful percussion, ferociously attacking synths and an oppressive sonic atmosphere to evoke all of the danger and venomous threat of these powerful deities. This is synth music that stings, envenomates and devours.

In many ways, Ta-Bitjet is dominated by the tremendous, shadowy and aggressive power of its drums and bass. The drums have intense weight and power while the bass forms a  surging, jagged-edged tide that sweeps the music along. The low end sounds combine to produce an atmosphere shrouded in darkness and alive with danger.

The synth choices on Ta-Bitjet are full of rage, violence and sharp edges. All of these seething, rending sounds form a soundscape that is unrelenting and angry. There’s a feeling of deep threat that often erupts into overt assault. Kushna is a master of using synths to evoke emotion and paint musical imagery and he does so to great effect here.

I enjoy the conceptual nature of this album and the way in which Kushna honours it. The music evokes the incredibly potent nature of the goddesses to which the track titles refer.  The album weaves together many sonic threads to create a cohesive atmosphere of shadowy, deadly power that flows throughout.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Ta-Bitjet” opens as overwhelming bass smashes into the track along with a tremendously heavy drum  assault. The percussion has gigantic weight and the bass is harsh and chest-pounding. The rhythmic elements form an angular slashing line that oscillates with angry purpose. I am drawn to the intimidation inherent in the drums and bass.

A writhing note pattern wriggles through the track before breaking to gritty, warmer synths that rise over easier feeling drumbeats before the music's full intensity returns. A swirling, twisting sonic snake moves and again the raging, demonic storm of fierce drums and crushing bass rushes on towards a conclusion.

Rapidly seething, trembling synth moves in shifting notes as massive drums and gargantuan bass start off “Hedetet.” The drum and bass tide is lacerated by nasal-sounding, elevated synth carrying fear-stricken notes in wandering bursts. Underneath the other sonic elements, crunchy, jagged bass moves in entangled patterns and the drums slam down their raging beats.

The ghostly notes feel lost as they drift into a segment in which a sound reminiscent of dry bones rattling together moves through. The music sweeps into a shadow-haunted sonic space before the hard-hitting, towering drums and lacerating bass are joined by pulsating, terrified notes that drift in pulses. Kushna does an excellent job of creating music that is full of threat, rage and a horrifying feeling of evil rising to devour and destroy.

“Malinalxochitl” comes into being with incredibly heavy, guttural bass interspersed with flashes of high, harsh sounds that charge into the open space into which drums reverberate. Now a medium-low, broad-sounding synth with a bassoon-like quality carries a stuttering melody with a juddering sense of motion.

A shattering drum and bass surge propels the music while the nasal-sounding, deep synth’s melody effectively evokes a ritual dance. The drum and bass wall forms a solid background that strikes with tremendous weight and sharp-edged power. Once again the darkly dynamic, bassoon-like synth carries the rapidly dancing melody and is inexorably forced forward by the intimidating drums and heart-stopping bass pounding.

Huge, steady kick drum pulses move below intertwining, wriggling synth that harshly vibrates above them as “Ishara” comes into being. Other percussion elements join in to add different textural qualities as the huge kick still hits heavily. Slashing synth carries a rapidly jumping line before the medium-low, razor-edged synth carries an agitated, savage pattern over the angry drums and bass. I am drawn to the muscle and dark energy pouring from the music in waves.

Angular synth cuts like a diamond blade over the oppressive drum and bass heft that collides underneath. The music here is a slab of impressive size and terrifying weight. All of the jagged crenellations of the lead synth jab as the heaving drive below continues. The evolving lead synth spins out in a ripping attack as the drums and bass create leaping propulsion. A tensely wound sound howls out and again the creaking lead synth slices while the tumbling, interwoven drums and bass growl with malicious intent.

“Serket” starts as a steady, ticking drumbeat is cut into by massive, harsh synth that scratches as a tightly wound, growing maelstrom of sound erupts. The bass becomes a wall as gargantuan, ripping synth bursts tear in an agitated pattern and higher sounds cry out with a horrified wail. Kushna has crafted an intensely fearful atmosphere here that works well.

Medium-high, bright synth carries a drifting pattern of arpeggiating notes over the martial tattoo of the drums. Synth with an almost bagpipe-like sound carries a darkly majestic melody. The rending synth pattern snarls through the music while the incredibly dense, hellishly powerful drums and bass throb.

Conclusion

Ta-Bitjet is an album drenched in a horror-filled atmosphere studded with deadly threats. I am drawn towards the skill that Kushna displays as he creates sensations that range from dark majesty to outright terror from his synth palette. To learn more about Kushna, go to his Bandcamp page here.

The Boathaus - Slasher

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

The Boathaus’ Slasher captures all of the seething danger and dark power of a horror movie, but leavens it with emotions that are gentler and more tender. The mixture of muscled guitar with an interesting series of different synth sounds creates atmosphere while strong percussion and deep bass provide support. Topping it off, there are melodies mixing darkness and melancholy that move through the album.

Atmosphere is at the heart of Slasher. The way in which the gritty, surging guitar charges combines with synths that can feel haunted or gleaming helps cement the cinematic landscapes of the album. The music weaves together contrasting emotions of fear and growing energy. When the thundering drums and shadowy bass are added, an element of forward motion and urgency is created to move the sonic storytelling along.

The melodic content of Slasher is another reason I enjoy the album. The melodies move between emotional states in a way that interests me. They aren’t content to stay in one feeling, but often combine shadows with gentler sensations or feel simultaneously triumphant and pained. This could have been a simple darkwave album, but is more interesting because it adds extra elements into the mix.

I also want to mention the way that The Boathaus creates contrast in the music. The overlay of lighter, more diaphanous sonic elements with heavy, aggressive elements balances them out and forms a deeper overall emotional connection with the listener. Each element helps the other to be more distinctly expressive.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Rise Of The Machines” comes into being with thundering drums, colossally heavy bass and a rough-edged, medium high synth spinning in slowly arpeggiating patterns.  All of the sonic elements coalesce into a throbbing pulse below hollow, twisting synth carrying an undulating pattern.

A shining guitar cries out, carrying a melody that mingles victory, melancholy and a sense of imminent danger, which works well for me.  The drums pound heavily, the bass growls and the guitar unfurls in intertwining, majestic notes. There’’s a drum fill as the pulsating bass rumbles and the guitar cuts sharply through undulating, nasal-sounding synth.

The drums guide the music with their steady, heavy beat while the arpeggiating synth notes add shape. Gruffly whirling guitar churns out a repeating pattern that hypnotizes me. Now elevated, rapid arpeggios whirl while the guitar’s hard edges vibrate and then fade into quiet.

Densely interwoven arpeggios form a gravelly, textural background as “The Overlook” starts off. Ethereal, ghostly synth carries a wandering melody that effectively emanates a sense of loss and pain. The guitar adds a thick, powerful series of chords beneath the howling, drifting melody that haunts the music.

The guitar’s growl fades as quickly dancing arpeggios weave a sonic tapestry. Now the guitar plays a churning pattern beneath the lead synth melody’s spectral float and the drums propel the music over the steady bass pulse. Drums fade, interleaved arpeggios flicker and the lead melody combines a bereft feeling with an aching emotive quality before silence falls.

“Dream Warriors” opens with elevated, bright arpeggios whirling as a steady drum pulse moves behind rapidly growling guitar as mad laughter dances through the music. The drums are massive and have a distinct heartbeat while the arpeggios unfold with wild abandon. Tight, metallic, distorted synth plays notes that burst in over the hard-hitting drums and a minor key, round synth plays a shadowy melody.

I enjoy the way in which the twisting, nasal-sounding synth that comes in carries a melody mingling yearning with hurting feelings another, slower arpeggio pattern continually spins and the tense, metallic synth lightly touches the music before the track ends on gentle chords.

An angular, slowly moving note pattern unfolds before the guitar cuts into the music with similarly angular, shifting chords to kick off “Dancing Dead.” Nasal, medium-low synth carries an energized melody with an aching feeling that I feel works quite well to create atmosphere here.

Twisting, metallic chimes ring out and the angular note pattern below them repeats. The drums add a chugging beat over the surging bass. The guitar charges in chords that underpin the lead melody’s dynamic, but slightly sad feeling and the angular synth pattern below fades away into silence.

“The Shape” commences as jagged bass throbs slowly while gigantic drums batter. Hollow, empty sounding synth repeats a howling, haunting note pattern and the guitars surge with sinewy energy. A worried, high synth plays a nervous pattern as the charging guitars churn below the open-voiced synth with its ghostly sensations.

Now gleaming, tightly wound chimes play a terrified note pattern as harsh guitar trembles below them. There’s a profound sense of unease within the music that I find darkly engaging. Battering drums add motion below the heaving guitar’s muscle and the horror-filled, hollow synth as it cries out. The guitar has a huge, heavy presence that underpins the ethereal, spectral presence of the lead synth. After the jagged bass pulses once more, the music fades.

Conclusion

Slasher takes me on a trip through soundscapes that move from darkness, through loss and gentleness, into terror. I enjoy how The Boathaus is able to create all of these different sensations through sound and maintain a storytelling feeling as the album unfolds.

To learn more about The Boathaus and to purchase their music, find them here.