02 Throne in the Background ( 08.37 )
03 Strengthening the Volatile, Part 1 ( 06.19 )
04 In the Shadow of Possibilities ( 07.09 )
05 Treasures of the World ( 09.28 )
06 Masked Woman ( 07.48 )
07 Strengthening the Volatile, Part 2 ( 06.51 ) : Click here for MP3 edit

Total Time 56.42

Thorsten Niestrath : Synth Organ with Overdrive, Delay and Wah-Wah
Bernhard Wöstheinrich : Mono- and Polyphonic Synthesizers, Sequencers

Pre-production by Bernhard Wöstheinrich
Mixed by Ian Boddy
Mastered by Eroc at The Mastering Ranch

Artwork : Thorsten Niestrath
Photography : Uta Stiene
Supervision : Kitex Lungi
Design : www.studioflokati.de


Review from SMD magazine

This is an excellent CD; the best non Ian Boddy related release on the DiN label so far. Actually next to 'Radio Sputnik' and 'Outpost' it is probably my favourite. An infectious and rather cool groove gets the opener 'The Regained Paradise' underway. Slow blissful lead lines float over the top but really it's the beats that get under the skin which have the greatest effect. As with this entire CD the combination of sounds chosen are excellent. As the track goes on the leads become faster but remain in the middle of the mix. A mellotron / organ combination is particularly effective.

'Throne in the Background' is a very different affair. Distorted gong / percussion sounds ring out as if from the depths. Dark drones mix with other effects forming an eerie sonic montage. A bass loop starts up being so low it is felt as much as heard. From time to time it does become inaudible actually but somehow it still seems to be there. A sequence rumbles forth at the beginning of 'Strengthening the Volatile Part 1'. It's a big thick one but relatively quiet. Initially it stands almost in isolation but as it becomes more strident in the second minute a beautiful delicate lead line can just be heard low in the mix. The sequence continues to develop gaining a certain moody 'attitude'. Another excellent organ sound can be heard in the background giving things a tremendous depth- this really is superb stuff!

'In the Shadow of Possibilities' is a drifter making use of both windy and shimmering pads. It becomes spookier as it progresses with what could very well be spectres flying over the top. Strange gurgling / echoing animal noises can be heard near the end giving things an even darker twist. 'Treasures of the World' begins with yet another cool organ sound, this time a little softer than before. A percussive loop starts up to which another is added and as with the opener we get into an excellent groove though somewhat more restrained this time. There is quite a change in the third minute as a dark rumble comes in along with another fantastic organ sounding like something from TD's 'Alpha Centauri' or even 'Atem' albums. The loops disappear from time to time and it is then that these sounds can be heard to full awesome effect.

'Masked Woman' uses a combination of twittering sounds and more deep dronal backing to form a dense sonic carpet. This is a track all about atmospheres, again becoming increasingly spooky in the second half. We get yet more fantastic organ at the beginning of 'Strengthening the Volatile Part 2' and it isn't long before a rapid sequence starts up. This subsides at around the half way mark as we return to more atmospherics to close. Attention seems to be paid to every minute detail on every track. For those who like both modern atmospheric and rhythmic music this could go down as something of a classic.
(Dave Law)


Review by Phil Derby / Electroambient Space

I saw a recent review of this disc from David Law at SMD ( see above ), saying it was his favorite DiN release so far that doesn't feature Ian Boddy, and I would have to agree with that. This is an excellent blend of vintage and cutting edge sounds and styles. "The Regained Paradise" has great rhythmic loops, sounding like a cross between modern techno / dance, and Schulze-like computer rhythms from the early eighties, like on his classic Audentity. It is a powerful beginning. But the disc isn't afraid to vary the tempo and mood a great deal from track to track. In fact, the general structure of the CD is to alternate upbeat rhythmic tracks with dark ethereal formless slabs of ambience. For example, "Throne In The Background" is next up, with deep brooding echoes of distant bells and various electronic touches. It is delightfully haunting, rich in character as subtle layers develop. Dark choirs signify the end is near, so we jump back into the rhythm with "Strengthening The Volatile, Part 1." The sequence starts low in the mix, with more churning electronics. The hypnotic loop emerges from the darkness, getting gradually brighter and coming forward. It's not as visceral as "The Regained Paradise," but it is no less enjoyable. "In The Shadow Of Possibilities" shifts back into low gear, with beautiful bright shimmering sounds swirling about, grasping for some semblance of musical structure but restlessly trying in vain, eventually becoming content to just float dreamily and darkly by. "Treasures Of The World" kicks it back up a notch, again with a more modern sensibility about it rhythmically speaking, but with vintage-sounding organs and synths in the midsection of the piece, perhaps a cross between Schulze and Ash Ra Tempel, though direct comparisons are hard to come by. This is fresh, new EM, not just revisiting the path of those gone before. "Masked Woman" is probably the darkest piece, suitable for your next Halloween party, very cool. "Strengthening The Volatile, Part 2" begins with great energy, but the latter two-thirds of it slips back into dreamy shadowy reverie, gently bringing the disc to a soft but satisfying close.