Eva X - I Dream Of A Reality

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Eva X’s I Dream of a Reality is a lacerating, powerful album that explores dark and sometimes challenging emotions and ideas, leavened by hope and inspiration. Eva X’s unique, wide-ranging voice combines with strong lyrics and a hard-edged sonic palette to deliver a musical gut punch that makes an intense impression on me each time I listen to it.

One of the most compelling aspects of I Dream Of A Reality is Eva X’s voice. She can gently seduce with it but it can also cut like a razor. Whether she is delicately breathing the vocals or crying out in defiance, her vocal abilities capture all of the emotion that radiates from the words she has written.

Lyrically speaking, I Dream Of A Reality delivers for me. There’s a mixture of social commentary, deep emotional expression and moments of engaging inspiration. The words are chosen carefully and fall with strong impact. I enjoy the directness of Eva X’s writing along with her ability to lay her emotions bare.

The relentless aggression of the album’s music only adds to the dramatic energy that fills the vocals and lyrics. There are jagged synth edges, void-deep bass and battering percussion that punch each song home. I also appreciate the way in which gentler elements in the music create a strong contrast that only makes the album work more effectively.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Whipping Girl” commences as raised, rebounding synth echoes out, rising and falling in volume. Pounding drums drive with forceful motion above a flowing synth background. Eva X's voice is emotive and shadowed, carrying a sharp-edged vocal melody above throbbing drums and angular bass.

Eva X's voice snarls in a way that effectively delivers strong vocals and defiant lyrics. A dark drum and bass surge seethes along with creaking, gritty synth before Eva X's voice echoes again. Cutting notes slash and the drumbeat snaps as massive synth surges. Rich, ringing notes roam and slowly whirling, glowing arpeggios spin above hollow drums. The song ends on the pumping beat and Eva X's powerful voice.

This song examines an escape from society’s need to objectify women and diminish their sense of being. The narrator begins by saying “we’re in the dark with hollow hearts.” She asks the song’s subject if they look into the crowd when she’s not around. She tells the other person that they have it all as she is like their “living doll” and she gives them “pictures for your trophy wall, pussy on a pedestal.”

Now the storyteller asks the other person if they really see her. She points out that “dead girls still dream” and adds that the song subject’s love isn’t ever what it seems to be. When she gets free she won’t be the other person’s “whipping girl.” Her comment is that love is not the drug and “the pain’s just blood” so she’s reached the end and “your ride is done.”

Our narrator says she is the song subject’s excuse for being used and asks them how they can keep their head clear “with that poison in your ear.” She points out that the other person is “throwing blame” and says that her “inconvenient thoughts” are in their way in terms of “doing who you want.”

Again she asks if the other person can see her because “your love is never really what it seems when I'm free.”  As the song ends, she asks finally if the other person sees her “breaking and mean.”

Heaving, crackling bass supports elevated chimes shining in a tenuous melody as “Body Talk” begins. Massive drums pulsate and Eva X's voice is touching and resonant as it carries pained emotion.

Ethereal choral synth glides while the colossal drums burst and a guitar cries out with gritty energy. Eva X's sensuous voice calls out before the song slips into a segment in which the drums drop out and glimmering synth stars flare. The muffled drumbeat grows into full strength again.

Now the vocals are caressing while shining synth tendrils unfurl, drums tick lightly and then heave again. The guitar cuts through in gruff lines and drums break as distant voices shift.  Eva X's voice bursts in staccato lines as the thudding kick drum smashes and the vocals bring the song to an end along with fluttering digital sounds.

This song explores an emergence from inside a self-imposed exile as the narrator speaks of how she locks her feelings inside alongside the “scars hiding under my skin.” She says that the song’s subject with a single touch can “pull me open” and make her feel something new. She adds that “I fall for you.”

Now the narrator speaks of how the other person will “touch me, hold me, see me, feel me” as she asks them to let their body talk to her. She repeats her desire to be touched, held, seen and felt but also adds “heal me” to the list.

When they kiss, the other person’s lips “light me up inside like I knew you my past life.” Their eyes on her drawn her into the light. She asks the other person to kiss her awake because she doesn’t want to wait any more. As their “bodies intertwine, we dance out in the night.” This is a new love and she wants to give it a try. The song ends as she says “hold me, take me high.”

“MACHINE” opens with unevenly throbbing drums and surging, blunt synth that jams forward. Eva X's voice flows with darkness as angry, lacerating synths stutter. Clotted, surging synth batters again as Eva X's shadowy voice moves.

Medium-high, gleaming synth writhes above cutting drums and thick synth. I enjoy the moment of calm injected by a fragile synth intertwining before huge drums shatter again. Triumphant synth howls out and Eva X's vocals echo above distorted, surprisingly gentle notes. Colossal drums and weighty bass collide and pulse on to a conclusion.

This song examines the dangers of a broad societal drive for physical perfection. The storyteller speaks of how she wants skin that never makes her “feel inadequate” along with a body that doesn’t age and the ability to "walk into a room and have all eyes on me.” Ultimately she wants “the beauty…the symmetry.”

There is a dark craving to take out a knife and “cut a line to fix a part of me” and undergo a transformation that is “so close I could touch.” She can hear a voice from outside and within whisper as she speaks of deconstructing herself to “turn into a dream.” Our narrator talks about taking a needle to herself to make a “better me.”

Now she wants someone to “connect, remake, erase (and) correct) her as she wonders if “when I’m a beautiful machine” the other person will “love, love me.” The storyteller says that she wants to be “a very friendly sort of dangerous” that keeps people guess if she is with them or not. She speaks of hiding “a razor in your pretty little fantasy” that will kill off her humanity.

Ultimately she wants to keep her feelings locked away before she will “delete them in the deep” to kill the woman inside her and “make a better me.”

Scraping metal sounds rattle along with old school modem sounds and moaning to start “Your Kind.” Eva X's voice is sensual and smooth as the heavy drumbeat pounds. A broad distortion fills the vocals and the drums and bass have a swaying, sinuous motion.

Eva X effectively imbues her voice with lush expression as drums batter and cymbals hiss. Raised, twisting synth snakes through the music as tapping percussion moves. A distorted synth howls out in a lacerating melody, taut and cascading. Eva X's vocals are distorted before they move into silence.

Our storyteller enticingly asks the song’s subject if they want to play a game. She promises to keep them entertained as she loves to “hear you say more, more, more.” She is always available and as long as the other person keeps the money coming, she’ll make their day. The narrator will be their “fantasy, blow your mind” as both their dream and their lie.

Now the storyteller tells the song’s subject that “I wanna be your kind.” She tells them that she’ll be there for them and they can call her, even late at night. She makes it clear that “I'll never love you but I'll blow your mind.” She asks them if they want a picture of her “in and out of lingerie” because she wants them to keep coming back.

Keeping the song subject gazing at her is something she likes along with keeping the money flowing to her. She knows the other person wonders “if it's worth your dime” but reminds them that “I'll never love you but I'll blow your mind. I’ll be your kind.”

“Broken Wings” opens as harsh, high piano notes move in uneven, aching patterns. Eva X's voice is delicate, airy and full of feeling as angular bass pulsates with crushing weight. Vocals slip and slide while the piano trickles through. Shifting bass shadows move while string-like sounds resonate.

Eva X emotes strongly as digital-sounding, string-like arpeggios shiver through the music. The piano yearns and hurts in a way that deepens the emotion in the vocals. Pain and need fill Eva X's voice as pounding drums and heavily oscillating bass throb

Churning, twirling strings spin and vocals tremble as the song unfolds. Rounded, creaking synths rise into the track as  drums break while wobbling bass vibrates. Again hectic arpeggios whirl madly and the whole track churns to an end.

The storyteller speaks of feeling blinded and encircled by outside forces as she says that “I don’t have much else to surrender.” She can feel pressure building in her head as she asks,“What was it that someone gentle said?” She recalls that it was the fact that “ambition will never be your friend.

Our narrator says the perfect life she is leading is killing her and she realizes that “I let you down, I’m fading out. Set me free.” Voices whisper to her as they say “hush, fall down” and ask to be let free. She says that she’ll never “feel a thing” as she fades into obscurity as a “saint with broken wings.”

Now the narrator shuts her eyes and allows everything to wash away. She concludes by saying that, as she is “collapsing, crashing down from grace” she finds the sorrow on her face hard to bear.

Slowly trembling synth gently moves into open space along with Eva X's caressing, fragile vocals to begin “Hear The Silence.” The vocal melody is tentative as a jagged synth briefly slices through. Gigantic drums throb along with thick bass, slashed by a gruff synth blade.

The vocals grow in strength and feeling as crackling synth roars. Piano flits in rapidly dancing arpeggios over hard-edged drums that burst more broadly now as the arpeggio keeps unfurling.

Eva X's voice is wonderfully distinctive and resonant while massive drums crash below in a tide of wild energy. Far off, distorted piano cascades unevenly into open space.  The vocals rise with poise, power and depth as a  growling synth tides smashes before silence falls.

“Breathe in, breathe out” is how our storyteller starts the song as she speaks of the “dead quiet, once so loud” as her world tumbles down and she breathes in. She goes on to talk about how “no one is looking right now” so she can be herself alone.

Now the narrator feels “the sun on my skin” and the stillness for which she fought. She says that her heart is still beating inside of her and “this is where I begin.” Again she inhales and exhales as “my world it slowly falls down” and the tears she cries become “my crown” as she inhales again.

“Tear Down These Walls” kicks off as slightly distorted, radiant synth moves in staccato bursts above gleaming synth. Roaring guitar, attacking drums and snarling bass merge into a crushing wall. Eva X's voice is full of emotion and defiance, carrying the soaring vocal melody.

Luminous arpeggios slowly undulate as heavy drums shatter and seething bass rumbles. The chugging guitar drives along with battering drums. I am drawn to the ferocity in Eva X's voice as the raging guitar surges and the guttural bass charges.

The vocals soar upward above rippling arpeggios and heavily pounding drums while a fragile flute drifts. Eva X's vocals climb and fly out over the massive strength underneath them. The song ends on the inspiring chorus as it flies out over the seething below it.

This song is a message of defiance and resurgence. The storyteller begins by saying that when she was a girl she saw “infinity, future flying high” until the embodied forces of oppression tried to “hide me in your shadow” and force her to choose “body or my mind.”

Our narrator talks about how there’s a “label with my name” imposed by these outside forces that pushes her to either be “a beauty or a thinking thing” like a marionette on their strings until she cuts them.

Now she calls for tearing down “these walls brick by brick” as she raises her flag “bit by bit.” She says that there’s a fire burning and hopes that it will “slowly light the way.” Again she talks about tearing the walls down and this time says that “I am the fire and I know I’ll find my way.”

The storyteller is done with “living as your target” and having to push off groping hands and “take your demands.” She is going to rewrite the old rules, rip apart the oppressor’s logic as she starts “blowing up the scene, breaking the machine."

High synth flutters and unbelievably low bass shudders to open “Machine (Adoration Destroyed Remix).” Eva X's vocals move above snapping drums while the bass vibrates through my whole body. Tremendously heavy guitar moves with pleasingly intimidating weight below Eva X's vocals.

Rattling percussion and crushing bass add to the remix’s darkness while the guitar tears at the listener’s ears in raging notes. The track floats into a lighter section before the ferocious low end rips forth. Eva X's fragmented voice moves out above dancing, smooth synth notes while the bass and heavy drumbeat hit again. Colossal guitar growls above Stygian bass and silence falls.

“Control (SPANKTHENUN Remix)” comes into life as blaring, brassy synth grits out along with a rushing medium-low synth oscillation and gigantic bass. The drums punch with violent weight and Eva X's vocals are twisted but full of superb expression.

Blunt drums and directly hitting bass stutter as Eva X's vocals are given added strength and emphasis by their distortion. Hammering drums and huge bass strike with tremendous force.

A high, ringing sound trembles out above the drum and bass brutality that breaks below. After a digital ripple, the song’s low end attacks and Eva X's voice chants out above it while a steady, elevated sound flickers. The track ends on guttural weight and snarling power.

Conclusion

I Dream Of A Reality combines emotional vulnerability, anger and darkness with Eva X’s distinctive voice and well-crafted lyrics. I enjoy the way in which her music engages me and keeps me coming back to listen again.

Leifendeth -Monument: Fifteen Years of Life and Death

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Leifendeth’s Monument: Fifteen Years of Life and Death is a showcase of his darkly terrifying, ferociously powerful music. It explores his music in all of its horrific, crushing depth and gives other artists a chance to interpret the music in their own unique manner.

Monument’s most undeniable feature is the sheer, monstrous shadow that emanates from every element of the music. The bass is staggeringly huge, the drums are relentless and the synths all snarl, scream and crackle. Taken as a whole, all of these sonic elements combine to form music that tears one’s throat out as it explores bleak emotional terrain.

Another aspect to Monument which I enjoy is the way in which the guest remixers on the album reinterpret Leifendeth’s music. They each take the music in different directions which suit their individual style while retaining the elements in the original music that make it effective and powerful. It is encouraging to see collaborative musical creation that is so respectful of the source material.

I also have a great deal of respect for Leifendeth’s uncompromising musical vision. He has continued to refine his dark, aggressive and massive sound while exploring different aspects of that sound to grow and reach out in new directions. He’s stayed true to his instincts and allowed them to guide him.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Human Error (acid rain remix)” starts off as a high, tremulous static crackle echoes out and razor-edged synth cuts. Powerful bass trembles in massive blocks as crackling sounds move. Kick drum creates an insistent beat and metallic sounds form a tapping, percussive pattern as the bass growls far below.

The rhythm rushes forward as gigantic sonic blocks climb and descend with muscled strength. Hollow synth leaps in slowly rippling lines and gritty bass rises and falls. Pipe-like, digital synth carries a dynamic, shadowy melody as creaking notes slash. Bursting drums accent slow sound as medium-low synth oscillates and hard-hitting kick drum throbs.

A wandering, swirling synth pattern asserts itself, accented by a single, delicate high note. Forceful weight and propulsive power drive on as synth slabs climb and descend. I am drawn to the way in which this music that hammers on with unstoppable force. Darkness flows and a pipe instrument drives on in an angular melodic pattern.

Now agitated bass wriggles and kick drum punches. Slow, heavy drums form a different rhythm as ethereal sounds trail above them. Giant synth blocks undulate before higher, airy synth intertwines and the kick drum batters. Bass grits and rumbles as a vocal sample speaks of greater outside intelligences watching us.

Rough-edged, distorted sound rises to a peak and a quickly tapping drumbeat pushes “Dreamlike (winds of fate mix)” forward as it begins. The percussion forms an addictive pulse below the airy notes that effectively contrast with the track’s heavy elements.

Trembling, shivering synth shakes in as a whispered, dark chant drifts through the music. Medium-high, sinister synth winds in a minor key pattern as Leifendeth’s whispered lyrics add threat while drums and bass drive. A misty, intertwining segment flickers along with ticking drums. Energetic motion defines the drums as pulsing, flanging synth spins.

The soundstage sweeps across stereo channels and thin synth undulates rapidly before Leifendeth’s dark vocals hiss. Underneath the other musical elements, the drumbeat is unending and speeds faster as a sharp, vibrating synth rises and falls in a thin line. The chanting continues while danger radiates from the jagged background’s edges.

“Lost Future (voltage mix)” opens as a cymbal clashes once and menacing, massive bass oscillates slowly. Crunchy, gruff synth pulses as clean drums press the music on along with a tight, distorted synth line. A hi hat comes adds shape to the music while evil, Stygian sounds heave and taut, medium-high synth adds a nervous element. Terrified sounding, higher synth moves in as drums collide and keep the track’s motion going.

Very high, gleaming synth notes revolve to increase nervousness, Now drums take on a slower, stuttering motion as rounded, twisting sounds flit through the track while angular bass claws at the ears. The drums drop off until just the hi hat remains. A sense of lurking terror effectively fills the bass sounds in this track.

Writhing higher synth drops through, doubling down on the music’s dangerous feeling. Raised synth repeats, cascading through the track with an agitated feeling. Digital stars twinkle and a vocal sample adds even more shadow as tremulous, sinuous synth winds and drums collide before silence falls.

Bubbling bass moves in roiling pulses before rapidly thumping kick drum pounds in to open “Blast Furnace.” Lacerating synth comes in above a flying, tumbling drumbeat and a twitching, broad sound that spins in sinuous patterns.

I enjoy the way in which this track charges forward in a blur of motion as drums flash and speed on with wild energy through the music. Crushing bass walls seethe and mournful strings wind as rounded, gleaming synth flares in a slowly shifting pattern.

Drums rocket the music onward while a melancholy synth pattern repeats lugubriously in contrast with ferociously rushing percussion. A bass wall assaults the ears with portentous energy and glittering, sharp-edged synth shimmers. Harshly pulsating bass agitates below ethereal higher sounds before the track ends.

“Beta Four” commences as solidly bass impacts the music while gritty, snarling synth slices ferociously and drums strike. Shifting, lacerating synth swirls through above the smashing drumbeat as oscillating, raised synth calls out with intensity.

Continual, insistent synth motion becomes hypnotic in way that draws me in. The track fades into a more distant drumbeat as intimidating bass flows. Speeding, looming synth dominates the track as rushes in a raging, sweeping tide.

The drum storm rushes unabated as high synth bounces. The grit fades down and rippling, cascading synth tangles. Crunchy synth is forced on by huge drums while twisting notes whirl hypnotically. The track ends on pumping synth and guttural sound.

An extremely high synth flares up with thrumming tension as it moves into vast open space to kick off “Narrow Escapism.” Tumbling, racing bass is slashed by higher notes, wonderfully expressing barely suppressed horror as the drumbeat blurs.

Raised synth quickly moves with tight fear as it joins chimes that flutter above the unstoppable drum and bass rage. Broad, angular synth undulates in time to the hurricane force drums and punching bass. Wide synth chords rise and fall before medium-low, dangerous sounding synth repeats a trance-inducing melodic pattern.

This track is characterized by speed and a sense of ever approaching doom as it ceaselessly advances. Raised synth sounds have a distinctly worried quality as towering, dark chords add dramatic tension to the track before it ends.

“The Human Error (Baying Ridges remix)” starts as distant static crackle grows in strength and gigantic, dully glowing synth blocks shift. Terrifying bass depths rumble underneath steadily crackling static. Haunted, high sounds float through the seething sonic wall that feels increasingly menacing.

Raised sounds flow, overwhelmed by the crushing bass as it reaches out with twisted tentacles. Taut sounds shiver above the darkness gliding out below them, sweeping through the music. Hollow, writhing notes make their way through the unfurling shadows around them. I enjoy the sense of impending danger that fills this track to the brim.

There is something deeply unsettling, but strangely soothing here. I sense something evil lurking in the gentleness to lure the unsuspecting. Open sounds vibrate before wind flows and fades into silence.

Flaring, open-voiced synth shakes as a vocal sample adds a darkly commanding tone to begin “Violent Awakening (instrumental version).” Rattling darbuka percussion forms a tapping beat as a lacerating synth becomes a driving pulse, tearing through the music. Kick drum and pulsating bass throw the track forward with deadly force.

Synth slabs roar in heavy chords to increase the angry power in the music. Broad, medium-high synth follows along with the pounding drumbeat.  Rumbling, hollow bass makes a muffled grunt that swells to full volume as the gigantic synth blocks shift and the drumbeat smashes on.

There’s something darkly pleasurable about the unceasing motion in this track. Chest punching synth bounces in time to the drumbeat before massive sonic blocks drop heavily again. Wide synth joins the drumbeat’s oppressive force and dangerous energy. The track continues to throb onward with great power to throb on before flowing into silence.

“Aftershock (2007 demo)” opens as wildly writhing, high synth is split by quickly pulsating, lower sounds.  Rapidly oscillating bass is joined by speeding drums to create terrifying forward motion. Very high, tense sound howls above an accelerating drum and bass onslaught. Snarling higher sounds move above the drum and bass pulse’s bruising speed.

Chanting vocals do a great job of adding a sense of doomed rage to the track. Nasal, distorted synth squelches above tripping drums and bass that race through the music. Leifendeth’s voice chants messages of despair and dissolution.

Sonic blades cut in broad swathes as the track gallops forward with unabated anger. A quick synth shivers as drums burst and bass slams. Colossal sounds surround Leifendeth’s bleak voice that promises utter destruction. The whole track undulates and rockets forward to an end.

Elevated, nervous sounds cry out and guttural bass slowly throbs to start “Spiral of Silence (2009 demo).” Shaking sounds tremble and Buddhist chanting adds a ritualistic aspect to the track.

Bass drops into cavernous depths as it moves across the stereo field in an uneven pulsation while metallic sounds hiss. I am enamoured of the way in which the track’s sounds move around between channels, creating a sense of encirclement. Jagged sonic fragments create a dizzying sensation while tense synth trembles.

Ominous notes move in a slowly slicing motion while thick bass jumps below them. The stereo field encircles me like a dark halo as the sounds wrap around. Gritty bass is joined by slowly heaving synth and a wriggling, uneasy sound.  Drums and bass spiral before the track ends on quickly pulsing sound.

Conclusion

Monument is a strong exploration of Leifendeth’s dystopian, seething musical approach. It captures all of his raging energy, lacerating power and bleak emotion while adding new and fresh spins on the music.

Sonic Gap (and Guests) - Colossus

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Sonic Gap’s Colossus carries listeners on an auditory journey through a world of exploration, adventure and mystery. Sonic Gap and his guests combine a complex mixture of different synth sounds with strong melodies and an exciting atmosphere to produce a rich album.

Well-crafted melodies are at the heart of Colossus. Sonic Gap and his artistic collaborators forge melodic moments that clearly convey emotion. I enjoy the mingled feelings and images that the melodies create as they unfold, pulling me into their world. I am enamoured of the music’s ability to transport me.

Sonic Gap and his collaborators have thoughtfully fused synth sounds into layered, intricate auditory tapestries. The creators effectively use the synthesizer’s broad aural range and plethora of sonic possibilities to paint imagery through tonal colours, musical textures and different emotional states they can create.

The way in which the musical complexity and melodic power combine on this album help take me on a journey through its world. I find myself closing my eyes and journeying along as Sonic Gap and his fellow artists unfold the auditory pathway in front of me.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“The Colossus” comes to life as dense, intertwining bass pulses unevenly and raised, sparkling chimes flash out in the far distance. Kaarin Zoe Lee’s clear, resonant voice tells the tale of the album and the discovery of “the colossus.” Elevated synth twirls as heavy kick drum throbs below it.

A majestic, victorious melody sings out on a bright, string-like synth to imbue the music with pleasing energy. Very taut synth oscillates above the dynamically bursting drumbeat as dramatic choral voices shift. The main melody soars out with triumph above slightly shaded choral voices as the angular, propulsive drumbeat drives on. Jagged, crunchy synth trembles in a repeating line over thudding kick drum.

Tightly wound, high synth trickles in a pattern that rises and falls over choral voices and the guiding drumbeat. Slightly aching synth washes out in a gentler melody that still has some brassy flash. Digital-sounding synth flickers as wide, energizing synth chords leap. The track ends on the uplifting main melody.

Distantly revolving, gentle arpeggios ripple outward, carried on a soothing synth that gains strength as “The Pyramid” begins. Arpeggios spin and radiant synth flashes as solid drums push the track forward. Delicate, ethereal arpeggios whirl out and flaring synth accents the music as the drumbeat and active bass press on.

Medium-high, glistening synth carries a hopeful melody that effectively conveys a sense of progress. Undulating arpeggios are carried on a tight, medium high synth. Active bass oscillates and drums throb on.

After a rising, trumpeting synth calls out, the main melody mingles an adventurous feeling and yearning energy as it reaches out. Drums move the music forward over sharp-edged, oscillating bass as raised, shining synth cries out the melody. Fragile, warming arpeggios spin out underneath and silence falls.

“The Statue” starts off as razor sharp synth oscillates with brittle clarity into open space as a kick drum throbs. There’s an insistently undulating pulse carried by crystalline synth as gruff sonic pulses add radiance.

Nasal-sounding, medium-high synth carries an enjoyable melody with an aching emotional core and inherent nobility. Drums punch and vocal-sounding synth chants in a tumbling pattern. Synth chords rise with powerful brilliance and the main melody is carried by wide synth.

A quickly twisting, round synth wriggles through above jumping drums and guiding bass. The main melody exudes a sense of melancholy tinged progress as the propulsive drumbeat goes on. Digital-sounding, spinning synth flows while punchy drums press on. Cut glass synth rapidly roams and the drum pulse pushes until the track ends.

Cosmic synth drifts in calming waves as birds call out and airy synth spins in slow arpeggios to open "The Hanging Gardens.” Wordless vocals flow as arpeggios flicker and quickly pulsing, slightly rough-edged synth forms a line beneath rippling chimes.

Hollow, full-sounding synth carries a yearning, heart-touching melody over drum and bass energy. Drums flourish as the melody sails out in caressing motion, flitting synth add shining accents.

Vibrant life pours from the music as it glides into a segment in which synth waves flow easily and wordless vocals breathe. Kick drum and powerful percussion shift and the melody fills me with wistful joy and a sense of peace. The music fades out on broad, distant arpeggios and twinkling chimes take the track to an end.

“The Lighthouse” starts off with piano chords that combine dynamism with softer emotion as ticking drums add shape. Widely cascading synth mingles with raised, glittering notes to carry the uplifting melody.

The distorted, slightly wavering synth carries a melody enjoyably full of positive motion and the feeling of journeying. The drumbeat pulsates on and radiant synth calls out, mirrored by lower and more wavering sound.

Chimes flutter and jazz inflected piano leaps and wanders. The main melody cries out again, nobility as it wheels freely before waves softly wash and enfolding piano chords wind down into quiet.

Hypnotic synth descends and repeats as solid kick drum pulses to commence “The Temple.” High, ringing sounds and hollow floating notes fill the background as active bass pulses. Blaring, sharp synth carries a melody that effectively combines mystery and rousing feeling as drums and bass create motion.

Bell-like, crisp synth rings and glittering, intertwining arpeggios tremble over angular motion. Arpeggios interlock and whirl as very high notes flow and massive drums thunder. Flitting, digital sounds tremble and ominous, heaving bass snarls as broadly driving, low synth presses on.

Creaking, cutting synth adds dominating weight and shadow swells from the gigantic, rumbling low end. Now lambent synth notes glow and ethereally climbing synth calls out through the sonic layers swirling around it into silence.

Conclusion

Colossus takes me on a ride across a luscious, detailed and expressive synthscape as it unfurls. The way in which Kaarin Zoe Lee, OSC, MicroMatscenes, Compilerbau and Canape Lee all collaborate only deepens the album’s musical experience.

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Damokles - Shining Armor

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Damokles’ Shining Armor combines his inimitable voice, entertaining song lyrics and a well composed and produced synthpop sound. The retro vibes are well and truly alive here but the production is bang up to date. Most crucially, this album is pure fun to listen to!

The way in which Damokles’ voice fuses with his songwriting fits Shining Armor’s overall feeling well. One could never mistake him for any other vocalist with his unique tone and deep voice. His vocal style suits the ironic, humorous and sometimes sharp-edged lyrics of his songs and adds an extra dimension of expression.

Experience and taste define the synth sound and overall production on Shining Armor. Damokles has been making synth-based music for decades and he knows how to combine varied tones, timbres and musical colours to explore the moods he wants to create in his tracks. He’s a master at layering which results in lush soundscapes enhanced by his pin-sharp production.

I also enjoy the energy that pours from this album. Damokles has an irrepressible sense of fun and seems to focus on creating an engaging and entertaining listening experience. He takes music making seriously but his music itself is a blast to hear!

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Shining Armor” begins as massive drums and raised, flashing synth rings out in a powerful pattern. Rough-edged, scintillating synth and popping drums are cut into by Damokles’ rap talking about the state of the world.

His distinctive voice moves with jumping drums and angular synths slicing through the song. The vocal melody becomes more positive as the chorus sails out and the glowing synth light washes through and colossal drums batter. Damokles’ voice is totally unmistakable for anyone else's.

One of his superb, signature keytar solos swirls and roams with wild energy into the song. Damokles’ old school rap comes in again. Sharp synth angles and a dreaming, uplifting chorus climb along with glittering synths and pulsing drums. The track soars out on the chorus before silence falls.

Our storyteller laments the fact that there are “stupid people” in charge of the world who are leaving “a whole lot of ends that will never be furled.” He goes on to say that this time has been coming for a while when “opinion is outdoing facts” and lies cause no reaction. He feels that it’s “clouding up my dreams of a future of wonders.” The world is riven by inflation, bigotry, conflict and desolation now.

As the narrator elaborates, he muses that he grew up thinking that “leaders did what they should” and people were in good hands. As he got older, he realized that “it was greedy up at the top” and politicians were ignorant. He wonders if “we are all fools to put them in power” and adds that “all across the globe” it repeats as “we just consume and devour.”

In spite of all the factors he lists, our storyteller won’t give up and believes that humanity can make it but he adds, “we need help, someone to give us a hand.” He wonders about who it might be and muses about whether it’s time to “look up in the sky…hoping that ET will land.” He envisions “a night with shining, armoured ships” before a total eclipse.

The narrator goes on to say that it’s terrible when the disasters pile up but "no one cares but to fill their pockets.” He adds that humans look away, “refuse to hear the call” and wind up with “nowhere to go without rockets.” He admits that there’s a long tradition of bribery and greed, but adds that “it's time for us to make a big transition.”

He points out that caring for one another is a start but that planning ahead is “the way to winning. “ He wants to look forward to better times instead of “just patching up the wounds with a sloppy suture.” He wonders if those times will come.

Brassy, flaring synth blasts out with intense life as gigantic retro drums and dense bass leap to start “Take A Look.” Damokles’ voice carries a melody full of power as the chorus bounces out with a trumpeting synth effectively punching it up. Drums clash and hit hard along with

Damokles’ resonant voice as flickering, elevated synth skips along in a jumping melody. A slowly moving segment is accented by glowing synths that add more gleam to the music. The chorus skips along and the big drums smack into the track along with hissing cymbals before ending.

Our narrator is fed up with being bombarded by advertising for “some stuff that I never would want.” He is finished with it because he " just took a look, but I didn't like it so I looked away!” He adds that they “know the look I took” yet they were unable to “strike a nerve to make me stay.”

The teller of this tale asks for a day without “somebody wanting me…to pay for some stuff I don't need.” He adds that he is still buying things but he wants to “see what you're supplying in good time then choose on my own.”

“Home Alone” kicks off with a door knock that becomes part of a percussive pattern alongside clanking, sweeping metallic sounds. Bursting drums and sharp edged, high-pitched synth flares up as a fat, funky bass shifts underneath.

Taut synth carries an energizing melody out over massively bursting drums. Trumpeting synth unfurls as the beat drives on with a triumphant feeing before tight, clean synth pops in. Smooth, rich synth pleasingly spins out the dynamic melody and tom hits fall through.

Medium-low synth doubles the flying, elevated synth line as solidly punching drums and thick bass guide the music. The deeply groovy bass boogies along and tom hits jump. Brassy, high synth dances and drums press on before ending on the razor-edged, funkfied melody.

Rain patters down as deep, metallic bells ring out along with snapping drums and sampled voices as “It Will Come” opens. Rapidly undulating bass rapidly along with the hollow, but strong drums and the bells create a flashing light and now Damokles’ deep, unique voice carries the propulsive melody above the rushing drumbeat.

Gleaming light accents the music and the rich bells glitter solidly. Damokles’ voice has a strength and expression to it as it echoes out, the open-voiced percussion throbbing on as the whole song surges with radiant energy as the drums push and the rounded, luscious bell tones hop with unrestrained life before the sound of a train rattles through.

The storyteller is waiting for a train in the cold rain. He’s got an important appointment but “there’s still no light to see” to indicate that it’s approaching. He explains, “Nothing could be worse than if I missed it. Oh what drama it would be!”

Our narrator’s anticipation is clear as standing alone on the platform, “freezing here on my own and hopin’ the train is gonna come.” He has his phone out but there’s no information about the train and “my fingers are going so numb.” He realizes that he should’ve taken an earlier train so that “I would not be waiting here in vain.”

In an attempt to be environmentally conscious, the storyteller has got rid of his car. He adds that “there’s just a little requirement” that the train will be on time. At the moment he’s out on the platform and “I surely hope that it's really gonna come!”

“Sometimes I See Your Face” starts as oscillating bass waves rise and wash through the track along with gleaming synth flashes and sharp, clean drums. An elevated, nasal-sounding synth cries out in an impassioned melody as the crisp drums throb and the bass undulates.

The main melody has a charmingly wistful, dreaming quality as drums and bass create form and direction. The melody evolves, becomIng even more emotional and touching. It has a feeling of loss in it, but it’s a loss tempered by tender memories. Underneath it all, the guiding drums and oscillating bass keep the track flowing.

Raised, shining synth sings out with expression. I find that the melody evokes nostalgia as it soars, flying above rich depths. As the song comes to an end, the chord progression below it adds support and the melody trembles with feeling as the big drums fade out.

Glimmering synth slowly slips through “A World With 3D Printers” with crystal clarity and delicate light. A rapidly tumbling, razor-edged bass pulse and cutting drums move in along with tensely swirling synth synth. Damokles' voice has a growling power above the wildly twirling synth and colossal drums.

The vocal melody is intriguingly riven with mystery, even as it becomes majestic. Twisting, technological sound writhes before the drums punch hard and the bass drives forward. Hammering drums and huge bass slam and the cascading synths fall through the music.

There’s a mechanical quality to the musical backing along with strength and weight. Slowly moving drums tick before piercing synth unfurls and huge brushing sounds move along with Damokles’ voice and leaping background synth.

The narrator talks about 3D printing’s invention as he says that “a man in Japan - Kodama - opened a new dimension” and created an “insurgence without the drama” in doing so. He evokes the image of the world changing “layer by layer” as everything was rearranged by the idea.

Our storyteller wonders what this new world of 3D printing will be like adding that “long gone are wooden splinters” as shapes are created. He adds that now anything the mind can dream up can be created by pressing a button. He concludes, “Let´s go beyond and way above, that is the norm.”

In evolving from resins to powders and from lasers to heated nozzles “gone were the old dividers…solving the hardest of puzzles.” He points out that now everything from plastic to concrete to living cells can now be printed.

The narrator reminds his audience to “remember the craft that made everything possible when you go beyond what was once uncrossable.”

“I Know You Thought You Knew Me” comes to life as blunt, brutal bass vibrates and open-voiced drums form a steadily guiding pattern. Bass rolls and glittering synth flashes steadily. D’s unique, resonant voice comes in as medium-high synth shimmers in a melodic pattern that accents Damokles’ energetic vocals.

Underneath it all, the drums and bass drive on while high synth pulses out as the drums keep swinging. Stuttering, radiant synth joins a verse that wouldn’t be out of place in a Broadway musical. Damokles’ voice bounces and echoes above active, swaying bass. The chorus bops along as radiant synth adds beautiful, lambent energy. Dynamic, sharp-edged bass keeps rushing through before the song ends.

The teller of this tale muses that, as we travel through life, we’ll meet a wide range of people but “they’ll know only what you show them.” He goes on to say that people are layered like onions and “it goes deep, so so you don't have a clue who they are” from “cortex down to brain stem.”

Our narrator says that he knows “you thought you knew me” but points out that impression is incorrect since “Inside it's very roomy, space for the unknowable.” He adds that doing “things to make you like me” is a game he plays well. He asks, “What makes me shine so brightly? Truth?” but warns that you can never really tell.

The storyteller says that he’s got ‘the magic touch” to be able to “see what you don’t know yourself” and adjust to become another person. He concludes, "I could be a secret agent, I could be a millionaire, I could speak with a phony accent. Whatever you need, I'll be there.”

Yearning piano chords with a tinge of shadow repeat as a drumbeat very gently touches the music to open “Setting In The East.” The piano has a pained quality as clean drums form a shaping beat.

Swirling, elevated synth drifts with a touchingly elegiac and mournful quality above thick bass and clear drums. There is still hope in the melody along with more aching emotional qualities as the piano slowly moves on. Bass shifts as a drum pulse splashes widely through the track.

The high synth wanders, shot through with loss as massive drums strike the track and an undulating bass pulse moves below. A deep melancholy underpins the music, gliding along. After a drum fill, the melody climbs on the intertwining, glimmering synth as it arcs out above the powerful low end. The piano ends the track with delicate, caressing notes.

Conclusion

Shining Armor is a further showcase of Damokles’ highly engaging approach to retro-tinged synthpop. It illustrates how his individual approach to creating synth-based music remains intact and results in music that is ear-pleasing and makes for compulsive listening.