CELINA - Origins

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

CELINA’s Origins is a blistering, uncompromising slice of raging cyberpunk power and dramatic tension. Shadowy atmospheres are battered by gargantuan drums and ravening bass while danger and threat pour from every element of the album. CELINA shows no quarter in creating ferocious, hard-hitting music that goes on the attack.

The sheer ferocity of the aural assault on Origins gives it a strong appeal to me. I want cyberpunk that is raw, unapologetic and raging and CELINA obliges here. The combination of the serrated slabs of bass and massively powerful drums create an underpinning for the aggressive synth melodies and jagged soundscapes that unfold in the music.

Atmosphere plays a strong role in my enjoyment of Origins as well. There’s an oppressive feeling of danger that fills the music along with a shadowy miasma created by mysterious sonic elements. On top of that, there is the anger and force of the drums and bass. The end result is enjoyably seething darkness mingled with unrelenting rage.

I am also drawn to the synth palette that CELINA has chosen on the album. She skilfully mingles a plethora of unique synth sounds to create slashing power, dramatic tension and fill the music with an umbral miasma. The use of contrast and layering results in an ear-grabbing musical depth in the music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Corrupted By You” opens as terrifying, jagged bass shards slash into the music along with a voice over echoing out into the void. Tiny, elevated synth sounds tremble and hollow drums pulse. Howling noise breaks out and massive bass throb adds a pleasing groove as it pushes the music forward. Shattering sounds break above the bass, forming their own cutting pulse as the drums stutter and smash.

A ticking sound moves and massive bass heaves as the voice over echoes out. Angry synth tumbles in an uneven pulse as swinging bass throbs. Battering drums are touched by shimmering, elevated synth and angular, medium-high notes shiver over undulating, razor sharp bass. The track ends on a spinning arpeggio and a demonic voice.

Descending sound sweeps in above rumbling bass slabs and the sound of a Geiger counter to start “Biowaste.” A wide-sounding keyboard plays worried notes that fall above growling, weighty bass.

A medium-high synth volleys back and forth as drums accelerate above attacking bass. Fat, synth carries a crushing melodic pattern that effectively exudes dark victory above juddering bass and guiding drums. An open segment with the ominous piano playing worried notes, the sound of computerized warning and a Geiger counter adding to the sense of danger before unsettled synths vibrate.

Again towering bass punches into the music below a wandering, high synth and the drums burst as the ferocious bass drives on with sledgehammer weight.The wide synth fades out along with the massive bass.

Threatening bass fills the space below melancholy, haunted synth to kick off “Ghost.” Metallic notes trickle and the bass becomes an undulating heartbeat as the hard-hitting drums smack into the music.

The bass has a dynamic pulse as tense, elevated string-like synth floats with pained emotion and drums splash against growling bass. Echoing, lost sounds flash out but the dominant feeling is one of incredible weight pressing onward. Darkly shaded, aching synth moves above torn up sonic shards and unrelenting bass weight.

Tense, high synth screams out a warning. I am drawn to the way in which a sense of impending doom fills the track here. An angular synth pattern ramps up the tension above jumping bass that shoves onward with intimidating power as hollow sounds vibrate above it.

“Godlike” begins as a cacophonous sonic crush rushes in and haunted, distant sounds drift through the openness around them. Gleaming chimes flash and a snare drum slowly ticks as rising, slowly oscillating synth pulses with dangerous intent.

Enormous, heavily throbbing drums and bass form an immense wall of propulsive sound, while a rough-edged synth snarls. Quick, raised synths ring out and a tambourine briefly rattles. The jagged drums and bass charge hard while high chimes flicker. Wide, medium-high synth trumpets out in a minor key melody with a shadowy twist while bruising drums and bass pound in.

A descending, ghostly segment in which distant synths tremble and spectral noises float is cut by growing percussion and heaving bass. Intense power effectively seethes under a slowly revolving arpeggio and drums and bass smash along with the metallic tambourine. Lacerating synth tears in above attacking percussion and muscled bass.

An expanding, ragged-edged synth pulse leaps in as mournful strings tremble to open “Hexalite.” Thumping bass drives forward as the tearing synth cuts into the track. The bass is like a living creature as it surges. Dense, medium-low synth plays a forceful melodic pattern while the bass stabs shredding claws into my chest.

CELINA has a talent for creating terrifying power and unbelievable weight in her music. A flowing bass void yawns below slowly shifting notes of tremendous size carry a violent melodic pattern. Muscle-bound bass sledgehammers the listener in the face. The track's sheer energy is overwhelming, even staggering.  Medium-high synth exudes urgency and menace while the bass and drums are unstoppable.

“Human Nature” commences as a slowly revolving, distant arpeggio turns as a whispering voice is tinged by sinking bass. A twisting, distorted synth pulse grumbles as gigantic bass drops. A propulsive, jumping drum and bass pulse forces the track forward while medium-high synth whiplashes through and a demonic voice speaks of human destruction.

A quieter, restrained segment comes in, seething with whispers. A high synth volleys nervously as throbbing, shuddering drums and bass press on. High sounds cry out above the massive melody pattern bouncing underneath. I enjoy the sense of gigantic energy charging through this track. The music ends on a mournful, worried arpeggio and a bass drop.

A rushing void of rough-edged bass shivers beneath trumpeting, indistinct higher sounds to bring “A Hero Born” to life. Martial drums pound and shudder as the bass bites with ripping fangs and the drums become a full frontal assault.

Elevated sounds with a rounded feeling shift and popping noises float above the drum and bass tide. Bright, medium-high synth flashes out and a gently uplifting melody touches the music with more hopeful elements. This momentary respite in the album’s ferocity heightens the softer emotions in the melody here.

After a rushing drum fill, overpowering bass shoulders into the music and pushes it along as technological synth sounds vie with richer, more warming notes that flow gently into silence, tinged with yearning.

Conclusion

Origins lives in a sonic world that evokes technological peril and a sense of intense anger. The music is unsparing and raging, leaping right out at the listener with bared metal fangs and claws of malicious code. I enjoy the fact that CELINA doesn’t hold back on the album, but lets listeners take the full brunt of the aural attack.

Frisky Monkey - Wild Reimaginings

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Frisky Monkey’s Wild Reimaginings takes the contrasting musical moods, dark New Wave sound and intertwining synth palette of their Wild Imaginings album and whirls them together with the distinctive musical sensibilities of the different remixers. The end result adds depth and aural interest to the original songs, moving them in an ear-catching variety of different directions.

What I most enjoy about Wild Reimaginings is the way in which each of the individual remixers respect the source material while adding personal touches. The music's emotional core remains constant while each artist explores the new possibilities that stem from their own musical worlds. The end result is a skilful re-interpretation of the overall sound of the original album.

Musical variety is another reason that I find Wild Reimaginings to be an enjoyable listening experience. The way in which the remixes branch off into unique sonic explorations is pleasing from the dance floor thunder of “Just Saying (Jon Thomson remix)” to the resonant, ancient quality in “Abstract Thoughts (DiPettus Remix).” The other tracks similarly roam in fascinating directions.

Juan Cezar and Seersha’s vocal performances are always kept prominent in the remixes on the album. Their singing is such an integral part of the original music and I am happy that the remixers all respect that fact in the way that they approach the different songs.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Just Saying (Jon Thomson remix)” opens as blunt, thick bass echoes into open space. Ticking drums and hard hitting, heavy bass are a call to dance. Sweeping sounds move along with a repeating vocal fragment over the throbbing drums and bass.

Full-sounding synth carries a driving, cascading melodic pattern with a metallic edge as Juan Cezar’s resonant voice captures the emotion in the lyrics. Underneath the vocals, a melodic pattern wriggles and dark bass roils drums propel the track forward. I enjoy the contrast between musical darkness and the affection in the lyrics.

Huge, hard-edged bass flows and drums keep the song’s motion going. Shadows roll through as hissing synth slips over tidal bass and shaping percussion. The music is full of towering power and vaguely ominous feelings and trembling synth has an angular motion.

Clashing, gigantic drums burst below slowly swirling, medium high synth as “And If” commences. Juan Cezar’s distinctive, umbral vocals move above intensely driving drums. Tumbling synths with a gentle glow vibrate in cascades as the drums and bass charge with undeniable force.

Juan Cezar’s voice beautifully exudes gentle pain in the vocal melody while shimmering synth trembles in layered lines. The balance between force and emotion is well-considered in this song. Juan Cezar’s singing becomes gentler while medium-high, glowing synth carries a caressing melody above the dense bass and tapping drums. The vocals exude hopeful, tenuous anticipation as the endlessly bursting percussion and bass finally stop.

Our narrator talks about the fragile nature of hope. He points out that it’s a basic human desire but it causes issues when it encourages “our wild imaginings, making the mind to the heart be a liar.” He says that if the other person changed their mind and wanted to try again “I wouldn’t hesitate in any way.” He continues by saying that he knew “eventually we are something you can’t deny.”

The storyteller adds that at times he feels that it is futile “and I want to give in to despair” he just needs to see the other person smiling and to understand that they still care. He goes on to say that they are undeniable “so go on and change your mind today.” He says he’d “drop everything and be on my way” because the other person always has his heart. He concludes that “neither time nor distance will tear us apart.”

“While The World Falls Apart (Von Herzog remix)” opens as an organ fills the background while elevated, glittering synth flashes out a minor key melody full of energy and threatening feelings. Juan Cezar’s shaded, resonant voice carries a yearning, melancholy melody.

The ache is effectively leavened by more uplifting emotion as steadily creaking bass is touched by sparkling, spinning higher synth. Juan Cezar’s emotionally intense voice is supported by the organ’s climbing strength and rumbling bass that surges along with throbbing drums.

The vocal melody’s tenderness is surrounded by dramatic organ notes while the shining, flickering synths interlock. Hard-hitting drums kick in alongside ominous bass and gleaming, rising synth chords burst sunnily. Juan Cezar’s expressive voice calls out as the organ contributes lush strength.

Rushing, hollow drum like a frame drum and a duduk’s ancient, resonant voice start “Abstract Thoughts (DiPettus Remix).” Juan Cezar’s darkly shaded voice and Seersha’s plaintive chanting mingle over quickly tumbling percussion.

A ritualistic quality fills the music as both singers voices soar, carrying the yearning, ancient-sounding melody. Orchestral strings add layers of mournful sound that I find pleasing. The duduk cries out, full of intense pain, while drums thunder and throb.

Juan Cezar and Seersha now mingle their strong, expressive voices as the strings swirl and interlock. Warmth pours from the vocals over percussion’s battering power and swelling bass. The strings tremble and the open, reverberant duduk begins to fade as the drums stop.

"Tears In The Rain (Seersha Remix)” commences as an intense, open-voiced drum pulses unevenly. An indistinct voice calls out and raised sounds echo along with a lost piano carrying a distant melody. Sharp-edged synth slices while Seersha’s emotive voice carries a dynamic melody that also hurts.

Juan Cezar’s deep voice joins the song while quick, clashing synth leaps over the throbbing beat and cutting, laser-like sound. The two vocalists distinctive voices mingle as rippling, rounded synth sails through the music.

Juan Cezar’s shadowy, strong voice carries the uplifting melody as Seersha's voice effectively adds support.  Elevated, wandering synth drifts with a lost and pained feeling over the hard-edged synth pulses and heavily driving drums and bass. An elevated, mournful high instrument emotes before the song ends.

Steadily pulsing bass and gruff, medium low synth carries a tenderly swirling melody to open “Goodbye To Me (Watch Out For Snakes Remix).” High, digital sounding synth pulses cut over the throbbing drums as Juan Cezar’s voice carries the pained, but energetic melody.

I am drawn to the way in which the vocals capture the mixed regret and desire to feel better.

Razor-edged, digital echoes cut in along with rounded, elevated notes as the drums rush on. The melody has a floating feeling as raised, shining synth notes volley back and forth as heavy bass charges on. The computerized synth melody is progressive and bursts with life above the weighty motion below it  before silence falls.

Conclusion

Wild Reimaginings is the sort of remix album that I find most enjoyable. The remixers have a deep understanding of the source material which allows them to craft re-conceptualized versions of the songs that accord them the respect they are due. In the end, this creates music that freshly interprets the original songs without losing their initial emotional expression.

RND87 - Now For The Sequel

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

RND87’s Now For the Sequel is a sonic journey unfolding a lush variety of synth sounds, all rolled into an album that paints vivid auditory imagery as it reveals itself. I enjoy the way each piece adds to the cinematic tale being told throughout the album, like a film’s plot unwinding through each shot.

Dense, rich, detailed sound is one of the pleasing characteristics of Now For The Sequel. RND87 skilfully combines synth sounds that range from gentle glow to gritty growl in layers that sometimes interlock and sometimes provide strong contrast. Each sound is clear and defined, but when they come together they produce ear-catching and enjoyable musical interactions.

Melody and auditory detail combine effectively on Now For The Sequel to limn vivid mental imagery. The melodies written by RND87 have a deeply emotive quality to them and skillfully evoke more than one feeling in me as they move through the music. When the melodic quality is combined with carefully considered synth choices, I find that a plethora of images are created in my imagination. It is most enjoyable to be taken on this kind of sonic adventure by an album.

I do appreciate the filmic quality of RN87’s work on this album. Sweeping strength, moments of tragedy and deep storytelling fills the music and lends it weight and scope. The album deepens the sense of involvement for the listener and I find that it draws me in more completely for that reason.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Purple Sky” comes to life as unsettled, elevated sounds rise before piano chords add power and expanding energy. Chimes flicker in the distance, snare drum flares and steady bass oscillates as piano chords add strength and life to the music. There’s a touch of hopeful feeling that I enjoy in the piano part.

Rough-edged synth adds growling strength as it supports the majestic piano chords above shaping drums and bass. Glowing, calming synth prefaces a drift into a segment in which drums keep pulsing as a high sound echoes above active piano chords. Sparkling, full-sounding synth arpeggios shimmer with a cutting edge while massive bass rises.

High synths tremble and swelling piano chords add intense life. Arpeggios whirl with a slicing shine, while swirling synth wraps around them with gentle feeling. The track ends on sweeping sound and powerful piano chords.

Shining bells ring out as hard-edged bass and drums move in uneven pulses to start “Momentum.” Bright light and a tinge of hurt fill the bells as they call out. Twinkling, trickling synth creates guiding motion as round sounding chords move. Breathy, medium-high synth exhales a soothing melody.

Clearer, gleaming synth sings a melody that is pleasingly rich with calming, tender emotion. Nasal-sounding, full synth grows in drifting chords over the shaping drumbeat and strong bass urging the music on.

Fat, lush sounds sail through as medium-high, wide synth glides and the drums keep pulsing. Echoing, gleaming synth calls out with full light and drums pop along with airy synth. The dynamic melody bursts out above broadly shining notes that ripple and dance before the track ends.

“Penrose Hotel” opens as steadily throbbing, medium-high synth repeats above a softly touching drumbeat. Bass oscillates and softly flowing synths breathe out light notes over steadily moving drums and bass. Clean, glowing synth cuts as full, metallic synth carries a melodic pattern. I am drawn to the way in which the melody is progressive and tinged with needy yearning.

Quickly flickering, dense synth trickles over the pained melody as the drumbeat keeps shaping the track. Underneath it all, bass oscillates as descending, slicing synth contrasts with misty sound. Open-voiced synth sings a melody which hovers between forward motion and nostalgic yearning before the track ends on deep bass waves.

Gigantic, dense bass thunders below open-sounding snare drum as "Vintage Ways” begins. Full-sounding synth descends into a melody that combines motion with emotional ache. Piano-like notes glitter as round-sounding synths descend in a melancholy line.

Steady bass oscillation and a solid drumbeat keeps the music moving. I enjoy the balance between sharper sounds and the piano’s tragedy tinged melody. Thick, medium-low organ is punctuated by strong bass before fragile chimes shimmer. Falling synth chords add a pained feeling while piano melody is more delicate, but still active. Cutting synth flashes and the track ends with heavy bass.

“Little Star” commences as intensely bright, brassy synth flashes in and a kick drum pounds. A full drum kit adds more speed to the pulsating, rushing bass as resonant chimes carry a melodic pattern with a propulsive quality. Higher, shiny chimes sparkle in a secondary melodic line with even more life to it.

Tight, raised synth carries the encouraging main melody which effectively exudes positive emotion. Bouncing, metallic chimes add richness as the raised synth frolics happily. Now slightly trembling synth carries a nostalgic melodic line. The main melody returns to glow as the driving drum and bass pulse presses onward with verve. while The uplifting main melody fades into silence as the track ends.

Piano chords flare out expressing strength as cosmic sounds twinkle to start “In Her Eyes.” A rounded, medium high synth glows with rising light as airy sounds sweep past. As piano chords shine, lambent synth leaps with dynamic life and a bass oscillation propels the music.

I am drawn to this track’s constantly progressing energy as rapid-fire synth sparkles flicker and the wind flows. Gleaming synth cascades and weaves together in a spinning line, fading to the flaring piano chords and astral shimmer.

String-like synths dance together in a glimmering line while snare drum pulses and bass oscillates. Drums drop away, followed by the bass as dense, ethereal synths glide. Percussion returns along with bass as climbing piano chords jump in again. A breath of air touches the music, twinkling synth finally guiding it into silence.

"Still Waiting” begins as glittering, sharp-edged synth vibrates and flow between stereo channels in a circular sweep. Reverberant, full-sounding synth carries an expectant melody as slowly spinning arpeggios revolve and powerful bass rumbles and the drum pulse shapes the music.

A gentle melody, full of anticipation is beautifully carried on the lead synths deep tones. Now snare drums burst against the synth whorls that gruffly intertwine around them. Heavy bass throbs in undulating lines as a flat, hollow sounding synth creates a steady pulse.

The lead melody dances in, mingling a feeling of hope with melancholy while the snare drum’s prominent beat mixes with dense bass oscillation. As the track ends, arpeggios flash out on crystalline synths while the main melody touches the music, the drums drop out and silence falls.

Snare and kick drum create a propulsive beat as rapidly rushing synth slices to begin “End Titles.” Quickly tumbling, hypnotic synth flutters above massive, forceful bass and pumping drums. Steadily trembling, elevated synth forms another repetitive pulse.

Gigantic, sweeping sounds shifts and urgently flickering, medium-high synth twirls. Speed and clean sound define this track pleasingly as unrelenting bass oscillation and crisply cutting drums propel the music. Another massive, growling synth sweep supports string-like synth’s higher pulse while the hi hat ticks.

Constant motion drives this track, bright synth continually cascading as sharp-edged bass oscillation and unstoppable drums press on. Quick drum fills punctuate the music and bongos adds an ear grabbing element below tumbling higher synth.

The tumbling synth becomes an angular, repeating pulse as bass exudes colossal power. After another sweeping growl, the “A” section melody returns with bongos adding more texture and interest before the music fades.

Conclusion

RND87’s Now For The Sequel is a “head film” in the best possible way. Using his facility with music, the artist has woven together complex musical layers into a cohesive and ear-grabbing whole. The intense imagery that fills the album keeps me interested and coming back for more

Bad Guys Get Dead - Magmasquid3D

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Bad Guys Get Dead’s Magmasquid3D paints vivid imagery of a world raddled by rogue technology by incorporating classic FM synth and NES chip sounds, along with other synth elements. There’s aggression, jagged edges and omnipresent threat radiating from the music which unfolds in the form of a video game soundtrack.

I find the use of classic chiptune sounds deeply enjoyable on Magmasquid3D. The biting tones of the SEGA Genesis-like FM synth add razor edges and ferocity to the music while the NES chip sounds have a simplicity and clarity that creates auditory impact in every note. Together these elements give the music a distinctive quality and a well-done retro future flavour.

Atmosphere is crucial on Magmasquid3D. Bad Guys Get Dead deploys his synth palette to fill the music with ominous shadows and attacking energy. There are moments of aggressive rage punctuated by rising darkness and brief flickers of gentleness and more tender emotion. Taken as a whole, I find my mind carrying me on a journey through a wide variety of emotional states.

The way in which this album tells the story in video game format worked for me. I got the distinct sensation of traveling through different levels, each track like a stage in a game. The tension and drama built with each track before resolving in the end. It was a fun way in which to organize the tracks.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Factory Approach” begins as clicking sound like a gun being cocked is joined by a hard-hitting drum throb and oscillating bass. Drifting, wandering waves of medium-high FM synth sweep and a guitar growls, adding an umbra to the music.

The shadowy guitar snarls as heavy, varied percussion moves through open space and jagged bass smashes far below. The harsh ferocity in the music draws me into it.  Now open, tapping percussion shapes aggressively pulsing, dark bass and unsettled synth whorls sweep before a threatening, authoritative voice issues orders.

Powerfully rushing drums and airy sounds move with shaker percussion to open “The Factory.” Churning, gritty guitar forms a hypnotic pulse as elevated, twisting FM synth effectively generates nervous feelings.

The drums are a colossal force as muscled bass heaves along with them. Distorted, elevated sounds create tension as the guitar snarls through. The drums go on full attack before creaking synth moves above them. Shredding bass and ferocious drums smash hard before the track ends on high, tight sound.

"The Port” kicks off with evenly throbbing drums, broken by sharply cutting sound. A groovy pattern forms as percussion and heavy bass interlock. Dangerous, razor-edged synths pulse and growling bass looms in a wonderfully ominous way above the bursting drums. There’s threatening feeling in the gruff sounds that permeate this track. Wildly wandering, high synth ratchets up sensations of growing danger and jangling nerves before the track ends.

A reverberant series of gentle, slightly hurting synth chords accompanies a launch countdown as “Leaving Earth” begins. FM synth notes flare to support drifting piano chords. Undulating, flat-sounding bass moves below a gossamer piano carrying a melody that hopes, but is full of tragic feeling.

Sharp-edged synth shivers through arpeggios spinning above guiding drums. I enjoy the way in which the arpeggios leap and tremble, reaching for the stars. Flat, hollow bass and skittering drums move together. Pained, delicate piano notes float over a steady buzzing drone and into silence.

“Space Walk” starts as hissing breath is surrounded by a bass void and vibrating synths shimmer through it. Slowly pulsing bass adds form while solid, warm synth chords exhale into the track. The way in which the digital sound of the chords creates a majestic, soothing feeling is deeply pleasing to me.

A single bass note throbs continuously and breathy sounds shift. and Gritty, sharp synth adds more motion to the track along brushing snare drum and tom hits. Flaring chords give way to shadowy, but delicate synth moving with more wistful emotion as a steady, rounded pulse repeats.

Jumping drums and broad-sounding, medium-high synth pulses with great weight leap in to open “Space Station.” Twisting, catchy synth wriggles and colossal bass undulates rapidly below swelling synth chords. Ghostly, floating FM synth has and sweeps in extending chords that echo above the surging bass below.

There’s an open, echoing sound to the whole track that gives me the pleasing sensation of floating in outer space.  Drums pulse and tom hits add another percussive element as the yawning bass void throbs. Longing chords give way to a hard hitting, slightly threatening synth pulse before silence falls.

“Into The Time Rift” kicks off as slap bass bounces along with an ominous, lacerating synth. Drums drive with intense force, rushing forward with tremendous speed. After a laser-like blast, a chip sound writhes and intertwines as the raging beat rushes.

8-bit sounds dance and wriggle in intensely quick fashion. I enjoy the way in which the chip sounds evoke wildly twirling guitar. The underlying beat surges before the music fades on shadowed NES sound that moves in tight lines.

Quickly throbbing drums move along with oscillating, layered synths to bring “Re-entry” to life. Nasal-sounding, chip arpeggios sound rapidly unfurl in flying lines. Open-voiced, medium high synth ripples in rounded, gleaming arpeggios that dance with diamond light.

Snare drum creates steady motion. I am enamoured of the NES chip melody that is rich with uplifting emotion. Luscious, enfolding synth creates a reverent, gentle feeling as sharp synth drifts and the sound of a splashdown hits.

“City Street (1985)” commences as tripping, twisting 8-bit sounds flare into a triumphant line before shimmering over the classic chip “drums” that skip along. The distinctive, cutting sound  from the NES chip is well-utilized by Bad Guys Get Dead in this track. Wandering sounds move above breaking, wriggling notes.

Warmth grows in the distance as the brushing drums flicker. A tender melody exudes caressing feelings as smooth arpeggios whirl. Glistening high sounds add ease to the track, over the guiding 8-bit “drumbeat.” Continually spinning arpeggios add texture and a single repeating note closes the track alongside metallic clanking.

A towering, aggressive synth howls out above distantly battering drums as “Endgame” starts. A gruff synth pulse and the hollow, gigantic drums create an effective, crushing beat.  Mechanized, digital sounds fall in angular arpeggios over hard-hitting drums.

Cascading arpeggios add lacerating motion as darkly triumphant notes climb above them. The open-sounding drums batter as tense, raised sounds shiver through the music. Intensely tumbling, interlocking lines of chip sound madly dance above distant drums before the music ends.

“Fanfare” sweeps to life as jet-like sounds fly into the music above victorious chords.  Trumpeting synth weaves a dynamic, flashing melody that is tempered by minor key, 8-bit sounds unwinding over huge drums.  Smooth synth unwinds line with lively energy over charging bass and pounding drums. A more enfolding, gliding synth melody calls out over the rebounding drums.

I find the melody’s elegiac feeling quite emotive as it moves along. Skittering percussion hops while wide synth chords with a metal edge gleam above it. There’s a grittier edge as taut FM synth calls out a tragic melody before mechanistic sounding arpeggios break into flickering chip sounds above bursting drums. Heavy, smashing bass with angry grit and distantly sparkling synth end the track.

Conclusion

Magmasquid3D seethes with darkness and power while taking the listener on a dramatic journey across layered soundscapes. The end result is an album that is exciting, atmospheric and dynamic. I am drawn to Bad Guys Get Dead’s approach to music-making here.