Karl Vincent - VHS Retrospective

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Karl Vincent’s VHS Retrospective is a retro guitar ride that showcases his playing ability and boundless energy. Bursting energy, rich intricacy and a synth palette that explores a panoply of different tones, timbres and musical textures add more depth and interest to the music.

Of course, Karl Vincent’s skill as a guitarist takes centre stage on VHS Retrospective. He extracts expression and energy from the instrument, weaving intricate solos along the way. His choice of guitar tones also adds to the listening enjoyment, contributing to the overall atmosphere in each track.

However he doesn’t neglect the synth aspect of the album either. His synth selection is broad and carefully interwoven to imbue the music with variety and interest. Every synth adds texture, feeling and tonal colour to the music, making it more pleasing to the ear. I always find some new sound to hear.

I also want to mention the melodies on the album. Karl Vincent has written catchy, engaging melodic content that makes VHS Retrospective a fun listening experience. I feel quite invigorated after listening to the album, making me feel energized and ready for what’s coming next.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Echo (Prelude)” comes into being as heavy bass glides and guitar swirls and cries out. Karl Vincent’s guitar gyrates with abandon over the drum pulse along with chiming notes. The guitar tumbles and cries out in a passionate voice as drums charge and the huge bass presence makes itself abundantly apparent. I enjoy Karl Vincent’s decision to kick things off with a small slice of what’s to come on the album.

Broad, medium-low synth descends as sirens scream, the synth falling in arpeggiating lines to start “Double Jeopardy.” A quickly pulsing kick drum flourishes and a shining synth pattern radiates active energy over the driving drumbeat.

Karl Vincent’s guitar leaps out, carrying a motivating, propulsive melody. I enjoy the way in which the guitar melody intricately unfurls as its climbing notes add a triumphant feeling. Sharp-edged, gleaming synth trumpets out flying notes over the rocketing drumbeat and solid bass underpinnings.

After a drum fill, an angular synth pattern drives on, adding more speed and life to the music. Flashing, razor-edged synths slice. Chiming synths twinkle as the guitar arcs upward, carrying the energetic melody and sirens fill the track as the cascading notes fade.

“Through the Night” opens with a drum flourish along with funky electric bass. Jagged-edged guitar blooms into the track, bursting and fading rapidly. Slap bass shifts and high chimes glimmer while guitar pulses cut in.

Karl Vincent’s blues-inflected guitar carries a passionate melody an intensely emotive, expressive feeling to which I am drawn. A steady drumbeat and groovy bass imbue the track with a unique energy.

All of the sonic elements move smoothly as the guitar pulses have a slicing edge to them. Karl Vincent’s guitar work is intricate as it unfolds in detailed lines.  The main melody is full of yearning desire while the disco-like groove is addictive.

Trumpeting synth blasts out along with throbbing drums and an oscillating bassline to start “Streets of Grime.” Clean-sounding guitar slices in, carrying a melancholy-tinged melody through the music.

Karl Vincent’s guitar has an emotive and engaging tone to which I am drawn.  Brassy synths with a victorious, propulsive quality fly along while the drums and bass throb. The guitar solo cascades in whirling patterns as dynamic drums and bass move the music forward.

As flashing synths sing out victoriously, the melody is full of mingled optimism and more pained emotions. The track’s low end flows onward as the flaring elevated synth calls out and the guitar injects more excitement through speeding solo’s interwoven wildness.

“Mach Riders” begins as dense synth, quickly twinkling higher sounds and a steady deep bass flow jump into rushing forward motion as the drums smack into the track. The guitar whirls into speeding, twirling motion and bends out as a thicker, denser string sound strums underneath.

Karl Vincent's nimble, skilled fingers extract uplift and acceleration from his instrument. A new segment moves in as serpentine guitar cries out with feeling. The music surges forward again with the strong drumbeat hitting hard as thicker string sound accents the freewheeling guitar melody.

A sense of open roads and boundless vistas unfolds over solidly throbbing drums and bass. As the track ends, another inventive solo whips through the other musical elements and the track ends.

Wide-sounding guitar flows with a unique melody that has an ancient quality as "High Grounds” comes to life. Bursting, glowing synth leaps out and the guitar rapidly corkscrews. A slightly broken, divided melody rings out while the drums scud through the track.

After a drum fill. Karl Vincent solos with intensity, detail and finger-breaking ability. The music bounces into a segment in which sharp-edged, shadowed notes burst out over deep bass. There’s a dynamic change as the track grows quieter briefly before reaching a crescendo.

The guitar wheels with controlled chaos and the drums and bass cruise on smoothly underneath it. Complexity and a reaching feeling fills the track. As the music ends, the stuttering division of the melody lends fascination to the music.

“Fighter X” starts with luscious natural sounds, airy panpipes and deeply metallic chimes.  Xylophone trickles through and the panpipes breathe before the solid drum and bass throb moves the music forward. Ethereal panpipes dance with a faerie feeling that is pleasing to me.

The guitar melody bends and adds positive emotion as densely gleaming chimes flicker and panpipes skip along. A distorting, expressive guitar solo cries out. Karl Vincent creates a contrast between deep notes and screaming highs to enhance the track in the solo. There's a return to jungle sounds and twinkling, trickling instruments to add depth.

Guitar snarls low and shrieks high to open “Smoke In The Mirror.” Coiled energy and muscled motion characterize the guitar melody that launches itself into the track. The guitar breaks into a volleying, twisted pattern before exuding need and yearning.

Karl Vincent’s guitar chops are on full display as he imbues the music with emotion. The main melody has an ominous, victorious feeling as bouncing, churning guitar reverberates. Soaring, swooping guitar shimmers and bends, deep bass throbbing and the drums charging on. For one final time, the guitar soars, exuding a sense of escape before silence falls.

Conclusion

Sometimes music is all about having fun and VHS Retrospective is huge fun to listen to. The album bursts with energy and is full of madly entertaining guitar solos and irrepressible enthusiasm. I find myself relaxing and getting into its positive vibes each time I listen to it.

Peter Gagliardi - Artwave

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Peter Gagliardi’s Artwave is like a soundtrack to a monumental space opera. It combines vast scope, intricately intertwining synth layers and deeply emotional moments into an intensely expressive whole. I feel as though I’m being transported across the starry reaches of outer space as I listen to the album as it unfolds.

One of the main factors in my enjoyment of Artwave is the way in which Peter Gagliardi conjures up sensations of space travel. The colossal bass sound creates a feeling of massive openness, the gleaming synths form starlit pinpoints and the grand scale of the overall sound lifts me up and carries me away across galactic soundscapes.

Another major reason for Artwave’s success with me is Peter Gagliardi’s melodic skill. His melodies are engaging, emotive and full of deep expression. I enjoy their clarity and the way in which they can induced mixed emotions in the space of a single track. The ability to combine well-chosen synths with lyrical expression draws me in again and again.

The way in which Peter Gagliardi holds my interest through his detailed, layered synth tapestries is another reason for my satisfaction with this album. He carefully selects synths for their tonal colours, textural contrasts and overall emotional qualities and weaves them together in an engaging and thoughtful fashion. The end result is entrancing and compelling for me.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Orbit” begins as steadily pulsing bass and elevated, dazzling synth drift in. Wind moves back and forth as deeply throbbing bass is joined by rising synth warmth and evenly pulsing drums. High synth dances in crystalline arpeggios as piano-like, wide-sounding notes create a melodic pattern that exudes gentle and encouraging emotion. The emotional content of the melody is compelling for me.

Tiny sparkling lights add a starry feeling and nasal-sounding, round synth carries a hopefully climbing melody. Arpeggios twinkle and spin while bass depth adds lushness. Trickling, elevated notes evoke a star-filled sky as the extending, caressing synths with a gruff edge slip out. Drums and bass provide a guiding influence in the music. The medium-low, full, chiming synth melody sings out, imbued with optimism as it floats out into space and the solid bass lifts the other sonic elements.

Extremely deep bass creates a sensation of vast space as glittering synth ripples in  a light-filled pattern to open “Distant Colony.” The lead synth has a woodwind-like quality as it carries an enigmatic, ancient-sounding melody into the track’s wide open spaces. Radiant high synth notes accent the music as it grows in power, bass and drums moving the track forward.  Metallic chimes flare and glow above the surging energy below them.

Now a cello calls out with trembling gentleness carrying a poignant and emotive melody that I enjoy. The resonant cello has a caressing feeling as the drumbeat and bass keep the track moving. A mournful tinge comes from the string section as active bass roams. Nasal-sounding synth aches as power mounts below it adds richness to the sound. Yearning fills the melody as gleaming light flickers in and the track ends.

“Wide View” starts as whirling arpeggios cascade tightly and an angular drum and bass pulse propels the music. Broadly glowing synths slide through the music with a lightly caress that adds a peaceful contrast to the drum and bass energy. Tender lead synth glitters with delicate light as it carries a melody rich with a feeling of possibility.

A solid drum and bass throb guides the track onwards. Rough-edged, medium low synth take up the melody, doubling the brighter chimes. I am drawn to the noble, graceful melody as it soars out, imbuing the music with a sense of progress and growth. Drums pulsate and the bass oscillates below them. A vista opens in this music, carrying with it aspirations for better things to come while the dynamic low end of the track keeps moving.

Echoing space and hard-hitting kick drum are touched by a rising, steady sound that exudes foreboding as “Dystopia 01” starts out. Hard-edged synths bend and oscillate as a raised, slowly intertwining synth pulse moves in. Lucid, surprisingly gentle synth carries a melody that soothes, in contrast to the threatening feelings looming behind it. I am enamoured of the soothing melody. Massive drums and heaving bass surge together into open space as wave-like sounds sweep.

Now elevated, lost-sounding synths dance while powerfully rising, rounded notes call out. Buzzing sounds move as raised, spinning synths dance. The melody enfolds rough-edged, heavily throbbing synths that are sliced by flaring, gruff pulses. Haunted synth tones emphasize the melody and the entire track swells with power and interlocking sonic layers. The music ends with muscled energy and a hidden sense of danger as the melody fades one last time.

"Dystopia 02” commences as softly falling rain and steady, low bass is cut by darkly majestic, sweeping synth chords. Deeply rumbling bass slowly roams as pained, shadowy synth chords shift and a continuous bass oscillation begins. Chimes gleam as the full-bodied lead synth calls out, carrying a melody that ripples through with bereft emotion.

The bass is a physical force that effectively permeates the track, lending a well-considered power to the music. Gentle sounding lead synth slips through the track. High synth forms astral pinpoints that contrast with the bass’ sheer force. Medium-high synths feel hurt as skittering sounds move past and the track fades to silence with the rain.

Deeply throbbing drums and a soothing synth glow are joined by the hard-hitting drum pulse and thick bass to open “Neon Utopia.” Gigantic drums pulse and elevated, luminous synth carries a dancing arpeggiation. Soaring lead synth carries a melody brimming with expanding vistas and exciting possibilities.

Visceral, forceful drums shape the music as cloudy light filters through in the background. Glimmering synth climbs upwards, coruscating above the slamming drums. The main melody cries out again, high synth flickering and expressing uplifting emotion. There’s a strong contrast between the elevated synths and the aggressive drums and bass that drive the track on to a conclusion.

“Colonizing Enceladus” comes to life as overlapping synths glisten and rise and a hollow bass pulse moves through the track while metallic sounds exhale. Now reverberating drums and gliding bass support the elevated lead synth. The track’s fragile, tender melody is shot through with a dreamy feeling to which I am drawn.

Echoing drum throb enhances the gliding sensation as the lead synth carries the main melody with a feathery touch. An undulating arpeggio ripples below the melancholy, delicate melody. Steadily vibrating drums and pulsating bass support the other musical elements. String sounds create resonant layers before the raised lead synth sparkles and the arpeggios slow and drift off into silence, punctuated by flaring illumination.

A slowly unfurling, effulgent synth slips above a steadily moving drone, distant and diffuse as “Veil City” begins. Separated notes gleam above a constant lower synth flow and evenly repeating, elevated synth accents the track. A slightly rough-edged, nasal-sounding synth carries the trembling melody.

I am drawn to the tentative quality in the music as the starry, raised synth twinkles and bass rumbles in an oscillating pattern. The lead synth suffuses the track with a glow as the moving bass underpins it. Power grows as the music reaches a crescendo, filling the track brimful with a sense of strength. Medium-high, bell-like synth adds another sonic layer. The bell-like synth has an exquisite touch above oceanic bass energy as flickering, high notes move past and the track fades to quiet.

Conclusion

Artwave creates a complex, cinematic musical journey that carries me away. I can sink into the lush soundscapes and allow them to lift me out of the mundane and send me flying across the cosmos. This is music to get lost in and enjoy the process of doing so.

L’Avenue - Riviera

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

L’Avenue’s Riviera is an incredibly evocative, immensely relaxing synth journey that exhales tropical breezes and generates rich auditory imagery. This is music on which one can be transported to deep azure water, clear blue skies and blindingly white sand. I find the music emotionally touching as it unfolds.

One of the strongest draws for me on Riviera is the atmosphere that L’Avenue manages to create. His synth palette glides, enfolds and gently touches the listener's ears. Sparkling light, smoothly washing waves and pastel clouds are all evoked through different timbres and tones. I find myself carried away into a deeply peaceful state by the album.

A combination of strong lyrics and superb vocal performances add to the songs on Riviera. The two sung tracks are given emotional expression by Eliza Devane and George Holliday’s vocal talents and L’Avenue shows himself to be a skilled songwriter in the imagery he conjures and in his fluent word choices. I hope he’ll write more songs with lyrics on future releases.

I can’t forget to mention the saxophone on the album. It lends a retro touch that also strengthens the moving emotional quality in the music. The reedy, impassioned tones generate feelings of an earnest, heartfelt nature and add to the calming effect of L’Avenue’s music. I’m pleased he added it to the mix.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Riviera” comes into being as deeply resonant, warm synths permeate the musical space with an ethereal flow as drums throb and bell-like synth delicately glides and a round-toned, smooth synth sings out a tender melody, full of soothing emotion over the guiding drums.

Background sounds exhale softly and string-like notes tangle through the track before the main melody floats in again, full to bursting with gentleness. I find the melody deeply affecting in its kind feeling as breathy vocal synths touch the track.

The music exudes incredibly calming sonic waves as repeating synths wash through. After a breezy sweep, sparkling arpeggios dance and a secondary melody moves in, carried on crystalline chimes. The track becomes more energetic, the bright chimes like sunlIght on tropical water before the music ends.

A jazz organ’s rich tones move over tapping, touching percussion and elevated synths lightly shift as “Warm Breeze” begins. Airy, pipe-like synth breathes through the music in a caressing melodic pattern as reverberating percussion trembles.

The drums smooth out as jazz organ chords fill the music with comforting sounds and chiming notes dance. Pipe-like synth slips easily through the music before a dreamy sax sings out a melancholy melody. I’m drawn to the sense of pleasantly aching nostalgia in the melody as it unfolds.

Medium-high synth bounces back and forth over shifting drums and deep, luscious synth vibrates over underlying bass currents. Jazz organ takes up the longing melody and the sax cries out again, full of expressive yearning. There’s a  return to the “A”  section’s settling vibes before sax calls out one final time and the music fades.

“Sun and the Moon” opens with steadily throbbing bass underpinning a wandering jazz organ-like synth as bass and drums guide the music. Eliza Devane’s vocals are emotive and breathy, exuding peace. The vocal melody beautifully combines gentleness and passionate need as bell-like notes add a brighter accent.

Now the sax comes in, full of deep feeling, complementing Eliza Devane’s voice. Her vocals are like a misty blue sky as she emotes with graceful ease. Gossamer and softly touching sounds fill the song as a steady drum and bass pulse adds form.

The vocal melody is meltingly tender before the tremulous sax flows in again. A distantly gliding background sound ripples through and the sax keeps delivering expression until the song ends on piano notes.

Our storyteller describes the emotional state the song’s subject creates in her as a wave crashing over her as the person seems to “permeate every pore, down to my core.” She describes their situation as a road opening in front of her as “the path ahead is all so clear, the goal moves near.” She describes the other person as a shining star for her.

In the chorus, the narrator talks about how they “run, hide, laugh, cry, touch the sky” as they “love and be loved between the sun and the moon.” She describes how they roll and flow while “our seeds they grow” because it is their time and their show.

Our storyteller describes how the other person is always there somewhere “like rolling hills out in front of me.” As the night comes and the narrator’s eyes “close out the blue” she still sees the other person. She goes on to say that like the distant sun “your warmth is near” and like the “pale moon’s insistence” the other person is always there. As the song ends, our narrator talks about the sun and the moon as they move from “July ’til June, midnight to noon (and) from late until soon.”

A strongly pulsing drumbeat and undulating bell-like synth start off “Villa.” Bass washes in a wave as the drums create an even motion and a sax with an added nasal quality glides past. Reverberating notes shiver through the music as the bass and drums move the track forward.

Pipe-like synths form a briefly throbbing pattern and fade as the sax calls out in the distance and a xylophone creates a hypnotic pattern. Pronounced, lush bass throbs and descending notes flicker as breathy pipes exhale in a gentling pattern that I enjoy.

Elevated chimes sparkle in a continually shimmering motion as a drum and bass pulse guides the track. The music ends on slightly distorted sax and reverberating sound waves.

“Boulevard” commences as flowing, relaxing synth ripples out in pink pastel waves. Tapping, guiding drums are lightly touched by evenly pulsing bass and elevated, enfolding notes. A trembling, angular synth pattern adds a pleasing shadowy tinge.

Gossamer sounds also trace through the track. A breeze sweeps in along wth dynamically shifting vocal sounds as a slight hint of cloud touches the music. Voices echo out and far away, feather-light synth shivers and silence falls.

Full-sounding, bell-like jazz organ trails a laid back arpeggiation through “Pastel Skies” as it begins. The jazz organ creates a deeply settling soundscape through which bells ring out with intense tenderness. A brassy, mistily flowing synth light undulates as achingly delicate sounds glide.

The mingled emotions that this track creates are compelling for me. Tenuous notes flicker before the nasal, peaceful sax carries diaphanous melody into the comforting background.  as A steady synth undulates through the track and melts away in melancholy, dreamy notes before waves lull the track to an end.

A creamy, all-encompassing synth sound shifts below solidly throbbing drums to start “Driftin’.” George Holliday’s silky, feather-light vocals carry the hopeful lyrics. The main melody exudes encouragement and kindness. Bells and delicate strings flicker and shine, adding more brightness to the track. Sax descends in a rich line as George Holliday’s vocals trip through the music with complete relaxation.

I am enamoured of the heartfelt sax solo that radiates passionate energy, intricately wheeling through the music. Glittering chimes flit and clouds of warming sound combine.  The main sax line echoes out, earnest and emotive, as luscious sounds rise and a xylophone briefly adds another colour to the music. The song ends on George Holliday’s delicate voice.

A sense of freeing love fills the lyrics as the narrator talks about how he’s “driftin’, soarin’, flyin’ through the skies, never fallin’” and how everything is dreamy and floating as each day is “like a summer mornin’.” He talks about how light shines where there was only darkness because the other person has “lit an ocean of fire in this heart.”

As bells ring and the sun sets, our storyteller talks about how the stars rise and “pastel skies light up this town.” During the day there are “blue rolling seas, gold crashing waves” and a breeze like the other person’s lips touching his face. He describes summer’s warmth and balmy sunset air as he smells the other person’s “vanilla scent on every strand of golden hair.” The narrator describes “fairground lights, bonfire flames. Just how it should be.”

Our storyteller speaks of ascending because the other person gave him “wings when mine were dyin.” Now as the song ends he talks about how he feels he is “cruisin’, coastin’, chasin’ the wind.”

“Atlantic” commences as sparkling, ever so light notes spin and deep bass wells up. Sharp sounds flow as shimmering notes arpeggiate and bass rises and fills the sonic space. Broad-sounding, slightly sharp-edged chords move with an effective tinge of pained emotion.

Steady, gruff sounds mingle and an arpeggio keeps slowly turning while metallic chimes tremble together. Elevated, softly touching sounds move before wide-sounding, medium-low synth carries a settling melody with a hint of hurt. Bright chimes weave through the music and\sharp-edged sounds move together. Intense bass depth evokes open water and the track ends on chimes alone.

Conclusion

Riviera is an album that I find truly transporting. L’Avenue creates music that takes me away from the world’s darkness and sweeps me away from daily concerns. The evocative, emotive nature of his music helps me to let go and free myself for a little while and that’s a gift as far as I’m concerned.

Pashang - Void

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Pashang’s Void captures all of the vast majesty of outer space through a richly interwoven synth tapestry. There are moments of great power, gentle delicacy and aching emotion that move through the wide-open canvas of the album. This is deep, enjoyable and expressive instrumental synth music that invites exploration.

Synthesizers have a massive scope to explore a plethora of sounds and auditory textures. Pashang digs deeply into that sonic variety on Void to create intense richness. The sounds range from colossal rumbling bass to starry synth sparkle, moving through textures that move from gruff snarling to delicate crystalline shimmer. Each different tone, timbre and colour adds more complexity to the final result.

Void is also defined by the atmosphere that permeates the album. In everything that Pashang does in the music, there’s a sense of massive open spaces and unfurling cosmic vistas that surrounds it. The way the bass fills the space and the layered synth sounds unfold conjures up sweeping sensations of interstellar exploration. I enjoy being transported on the journey through the music.

Another strong aspect of the album is Pashang’s melodic writing. He crafts melodies that are capable of expressing nuances and shadings of emotion that range from melancholy to triumph, sometimes in a single track. I am drawn to his skill at combining synths that reinforce the emotional tenor of his melodies and deepen the overall expression of the album.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Glimpse The Void” comes to life as extended sonic sweeps slide into an open space full of tiny sparkles into which bass flows and a single dark piano note repeats. Brightly trumpeting synth reaches out with glowing notes through the vastness, feeling victorious and tinged with melancholy.

The mixture of those two emotional states is appealing to me here. The drum heartbeat forms a powerful pulse below the triumphant, flaring synth as choral voices call out. Wide, strong drums create a shaping pulse along with oscillating bass waves. Drifting, shining synth is touched by whirling arpeggios as smoother, elevated sounds descend through them.  and the gigantic bass washes as we float into an empty void in which lost voices float along.

Hard-hitting, shadowed piano notes create a sense of foreboding as a twisting, medium-high synth is battered by huge drums. The background chorus moves above rich bass that rumbles below it. Brassy, nasal-sounding synth glides along with surging bass while sharp, glittering notes move in a gently shifting pattern. This track is full of galactic power and dark majesty.  Huge drums collide and bass growls, as rising synth calls out before the track towers to a conclusion and fades out.

Rounded, nasal-sounding synths ascend with growing energy to open “Approach The Void.” Huge, rebounding drums throb and quickly spinning arpeggios dance above the rumbling bass slipping underneath.

Battering drums and rapidly wheeling arpeggios effectively build motion as chimes flash through the track. Drums and bass fade into a gently floating openness and before the arpeggios ramp up and spin again. Gargantuan, rough-edged bass grows in intensity through the music.

Delicate, crystalline chimes carry a beautifully tender melody. The energy level erupts as colossal drums drive on and bass thunders. The chiming lead synth shimmers with feathery delicacy, in contrast to the heavy weight underneath it. The track ends on twirling arpeggios.

Distant, fragile synth notes with a metallic edge move into and through the open space to kick off “Traverse The Void.” A dense bass wall moves with a sweeping sonic arc as gleaming chimes flash with intense brightness. The chimes carry an airy melody as a massive drum and bass surge propels the music with conviction.

Broad-voiced chimes carry a mysterious, trembling melody that introduces a pleasingly tenuous emotional state in the music. Energizing triumph fills the lead synth melody, accented by clean, glittering synth flares. Cosmic drum power and bass waves move alone before the shining chimes carry the minor key melody, spilling over with a sense of dominance.

The wide-sounding chimes leap out in bursts through the open spaces around them and a steady bass flow adds continuing weight. Silence briefly falls before the chimes shimmer again, adding a mingled sense of optimism and something less sure. The heaving drums and bass press on, dynamic and full of life, before metallic notes ring out and the track ends.

“Heart of the Void” commences as dangerous, rough-edged sounds echo into open space along with massive, heavily pulsating bass that has a feeling of threatening intent. Slowly descending sounds are followed by trembling chimes that wander above gruff, jagged bass.

The lead guitar howls into the void as a secondary surging, muscled guitar line looms behind it. Above the powerful guitars, gleaming synth cries out and drums softly tap. Roaming sounds unfold above overwhelming bass that slowly moves below them. Forlorn high synth adds a pained feeling before the guitar cries out over shattering drums as sparkling synth notes arpeggiate.

I am drawn to the haunting lead guitar as secondary, hard-edged guitar line snarls below and the drums strike with great weight. Arpeggios add more energetic motion while the lead guitar screams.  The rising darkness grows ever more threatening below tense, nervous high notes.

Aggressive, angular bass and hard hitting drums form an attacking, dynamic pulse to start “Flee The Void.” Brighter, higher synth carries a dramatic, shadowy melody out over the continually driving drums and sharp-edged bass.

An enigmatic voice drifts as quickly flickering notes climb higher and effectively ramp up the tension. Now the beat becomes an evenly slamming pulse as ferocious notes slash through the music, faster and faster. The track breaks into a throbbing charge as the mysterious melody rising before the track ends.

Conclusion

Void is a nuanced, intricate and expressive synth journey across a limitless cosmic canvas. This is synth music that has maturity, richness and emotional complexity woven through it and I am fascinated to hear what Pashang might do next.