DASHCAM - Sundown On Volcano Beach

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impression

DASHCAM’s Sundown On Volcano Beach exhales glistening neon light and heart-piercing ache as it unfolds in luscious layers of retro-synth sound. DASHCAM and his talented musical guests weave a touching, softly shadowed and emotive tapestry of music, voice and lyrics on this album. It is one to which I could listen many times without tiring of it.

Sundown On Volcano Beach is an album in which pained emotion mingles with longing, love and nostalgia in a heady way. DASHCAM and his collaborators imbue the songs with an affecting sense of yearning for a pastel drenched, hazy past while seeking love and trying to keep hope alive. I find the music moving and touching as it evolves through the album.

An excellent group of musical collaborators lift Sundown On Volcano Beach to new heights. All of DASHCAM's musical guests bring a unique approach to the songs and suffuse them with fresh sounds. Every collaborator here contributes to the album’s emotional depth and sonic quality to produce a stellar whole.

I enjoy the intricate interweaving of DASHCAM’s well-chosen synth palette. All of the tonal, timbral and textural elements mingle into an expressive, layered and image-rich whole. The synth sounds combine to enhance the longing ache that seems to permeate much of the album in an ear-pleasing way.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Memories Intro” Celestial chimes shimmer against soothing bass clouds gliding out along with a rush of lucent synth. I enjoy DASHCAM’s decision to open the album with serenity and a dreamy feeling that suits its pastel washed sensibilities. This opening establishes the mood to come.

Strong kick drum and chest punching bass are joined by a phone being dialed and ringing to commence “Life Line.” Weight and power characterize the drums and bass as they drive Anna Wang’s diaphanous vocals.

Exulting synth chords swell to add support to the other musical elements. Darting synth glistens in trickling lines as Anna Wang’s softly caressing voice carries a beneficent melody as chimes sparkle. Xylophone-like notes add lightness as the vocals exude affecting emotion.

Flickering notes accent Anna Wang’s wonderfully expressive voice as graceful notes lift the music. Gently brushing chords bring warmth while glistening synth continues in its energizing pattern above solidly bursting drums and a bass oscillation before silence falls.

The storyteller says that she’s both breaking out and breaking down as her heart becomes a “ghost town.” She’s been seeking love but she sleeps by herself. In spite of everything, she says “sink or swim, I do it on my own.”

Now the song’s subject comes along and upends her world. Everything has changed and she points out that “in high water, you're my lifeline.” Our narrator is cautious as she’s afraid of falling.

Our storyteller concludes that she’d “rather fold than lose it all.” She adds that she didn’t need anyone else because she “lost my mind trying to find myself.” Everything rushes on her, she feels the high water’s cold in her bones. As the song ends, she has realized that everything is different now that she’s in the high water.

Resonant, slightly quivering synth carries rounded notes over open-voiced percussion to start “Oceans.” Funky guitar drifts easily above bass flow as Liv Held’s voice drips with emotion and need in a softly slipping melody. Rich bass rises while medium-high, synth illuminates the music in a spreading glow.

Arpeggios slowly revolve to add musical texture to the song. Liv Held’s voice has a charmingly smoky quality, given a touch of digital distortion as tautly flaring synth trickles past. Drums provide guiding motion above the dense bass. The vocals ache with feeling as synth chords burst with an enfolding luminosity underneath the sailing melody.

Elevated synth radiates a calming glow as colossal drums flourish. Hollow percussion ticks as cosmic notes glitter above muffled sounds, slowly clearing as muscled drums collide below mingled voices. Dense bass provides a solid underpinning while Liv Held’s vocals tremble with affection. Silence falls on funky guitar, swirling chords and unctuous bass.

The narrator points out that the first time she met the song’s subject, she thought they’d be forgettable but she “didn’t know the half of it.” Now she says that “you’ve got me crazy” and the other person is always on her mind. She adds “I know you won't ever quit.”

Our storyteller declares that she’ll be the other person’s “bodyguard” and devote herself to them. She doesn’t have to keep running now because “our love is an ocean.”

She asks the other person to meet her at the movie store and “get into motion.” She says she’ll be their “movie star.”

She says that she “can’t help from reelin’ “ as the other person has her feeling that way. She talks about their “funny little lies” acting as if they don’t cry. There is a twist as she says that all she got from the other person is “those things I say I’ll always do.” Enough is enough for her as she concludes “let's just make a move tonight.”

“Hypnotic” begins as haunting synth sweeps into open space. Clear Pioneer’s muffled voice drifts as strong retro drums pound in with solid bass. The vocal melody has a hopeful quality as twisting sounds swirl in the distance.

The drumbeat and bass are propulsive while broad, glistening synth supports the vocals. Flaring notes fly out in rapidly cascading lines above unevenly tumbling drums and lush bass. Radiant chimes flicker above a rippling synth cascade as the low end punches on.

The vocals are pleasingly smooth and laid-back as shimmering synth with a wide sound echoes. The song slides into a muffled segment before nasally gleaming synth trembles rapidly over the jumping drumbeat. The song ends on Clear Pioneer’s expressive voice, shining chimes and quickly spinning synth.

“Breathe in deep, steppin' outside, floatin' off the ground” is how the teller of this tale opens as he adds that the pleasure is all his. He says that if people tell the song’s subject that happiness isn’t meant for them “ya know they’re lying.” He points out that those people will also tell you that “if you fear joy, your feel is true” but tells the other person not to buy into it.

The narrator wonders how the other person could be “so hypnotic.” He says that they pull him out of himself while “leaving behind my body.” He adds, “you give it to me and show me I've always got it.” He speaks of there being quiet in the other person’s head, urging them to “forget about the ground.” Our narrator talks about them hangin’ by a thread while “you know what's to be found.”

Breakers roll into shore and seagulls cry out as a synth glissade creates soothing emotion to open “Lost and Found.” Steadily pulsing bass undulates and drums tick before moving in a bursting pattern. Crystalline chimes carry a meltingly tender melody with soft light glistening from it.

DASHCAM’s voice exudes heartfelt emotion and affection as it floats through the song as the drumbeat rebounds and bass oscillates. A pillowy synth cloud enmeshes the chorus beautifully as it rises, giving off profoundly gentle emotion. The main synth melody slips on cut glass chimes.

Full-sounding, medium-high synth carries a wistful melodic pattern above big drums. DASHCAM’s affecting voice carries the loving melody as the shaping drumbeat and trembling synth add texture. Hazy warmth permeates the music fully before chimes sing with glinting light. Piping notes add a breathy quality, twirling guitar-like synth moves and a distant voice falls into silence.

The storyteller says that perhaps he’s asleep with the song’s subject as they are “drop top dreamers on a trip just for us two.” He goes on to say that if they are “caught between the sheets and the neon lights” then they are two “dream young lovers” headed out into the night who are "lost and found.”

Our narrator muses that maybe he’s asleep with the other person in “sundown, beach town, sheets found by the pool.” He points out that even with their “heads beneath the waves” they won’t drown. Instead they will “just dive in deep when they come around."

“I Don’t Wanna Wake Up” starts as rubbery synth bends before a powerfully propulsive drumbeat hits along with a bass wall. Becky Heck’s voice has a cold quality I enjoy, carrying the mingled pain and need in the lyrics.

Rebounding, dominant drums and pumping bass add power. Sunny synth provides a glimmering contrast as the hard-hitting drums pound with relentless energy. Lambent chords are joined by a panpipe synth singing a more affectionate melody.

Becky Heck’s voice has an echo on it that enhances its distant feeling as twisting synth writhes rhythmically. Heavily driving drums and hollow panpipes carry the yearning melody to a conclusion.

The narrator opens by saying that the other person is playing it safe “but not any more.” She has cracked the combination and opened the door. It Is “everything I dreamed of and more.” She adds “Dorothy, I don’t think this is…any more.” She goes on to say that she’d rather not wake up “if that means not being with you no more” as she’s “spinning out of control.” The song ends with the phrase “Toto, I don’t think this is…any more.”

String-like synth washes in sliding lines above gently guiding drums and bending synth creates a distantly floating pulse to begin “Hope For You.” Evan Pilak’s voice is wistful above colossal, hard-hitting drums. The vocal melody mingles yearning and delicacy while twangy guitar moves through the music.

Evan Pilak’s voice tugs at the heart with its gentle quality. Deep bass supports rolling synth waves and a robotic filter is applied the vocals, giving them a mechanistic quality. Funky guitar skips past and the vocals are feathery as round-sounding notes float.

Now sharp-edged synth repeats a pulsating pattern as the robotized vocals move. The lead synth climbs in dynamically gleaming lines an a nasal, bright synth repeats a trembling pulse. Evan Pilak’s voice is full of need as the drums below pulsate with intense life while the soaring, whirling synth cries out.

Our storyteller talks about being “cold and calm, detached” and says that when love is gone that feeling is “unmatched.” He adds that he says he doesn’t feel anything but “we know this isn’t true.” He wants to make the other person “just believe we’re new.”

In the chorus, the narrator knows the other person will fall in love, the stars will shine over them but “another one falls apart.” He wishes the other person was still his even though they said his “love declined” and points out that the song’s subject still has his heart.

He goes on to stay that he smiles “kind of” as he still hopes for love for the other person. He wishes them “all the best that we could never hold.” At the end of the song, he says he has learned through pain and “I can be so cold.”

“Sunrise On Volcano Beach” comes to life as an engaging, mournful ache flows from far off, delicate synth as planing chords swirl and clean synth cuts in with a brushing touch Misty synth climbs in cloudy billows before a taut, raised arpeggio twirls high above sizeable retro drums throbbing along with uplifting bass.

Diamantine synth carries a melody that breathes with affecting emotion while sparkling high notes hover. Massive drums keep up a shaping pulsation while gossamer synth carries a more encouraging melody, becoming positive and uplifting before the track ends on starry arpeggios and the sweep of waves on sand.

Conclusion

Sundown On Volcano Beach mingles richly layered synth, compelling vocal performances and emotive songwriting in a deeply pleasing way. The guest performers add an additional layer of quality to the music and the whole album is one with a great deal of re-listening potential.

7DD9 - Computer Program Reality

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

7DD9’s Computer Program Reality layers synth sounds to create impressions of danger, hope and uncertainty. A pervasive shadow lurks in the album’s dark corners along with nervous tension and yearning. 7DD9 explores a dark techno-dystopia tinged with faint hope as the album unfolds.

Computer Program Reality’s synth palette contains many unique and ear-catching synth sounds. 7DD9 skilfully layers and combines them to create expression. Sometimes the sounds slice and scrape, only to be interrupted by radiant light. At other points, tension thrums from elevated notes and bass sounds thunder below. Each mood and impression forms from intricate synth interactions on the album.

Another important aspect to creating Computer Program Reality’s emotional impact is 7DD9’s melodic writing. The melodies that he writes clearly convey complex emotions. I enjoy the way in which his melodies deliver feelings that can be ambiguous or mixed. There’s a balance in each one that allows their multiple different sensations to exist alongside one another. The welter of conflicting emotions comes through in every melody.

I also want to comment on the darkness that fills the album. 7DD9 never lets his listeners forget about the danger that hides on the edges of this “computer program reality.” I am drawn in by the way in which he infuses every track with shadow and warning, even if its only in the distance. This threatening atmosphere deepens the other emotions in the music.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Computer Reality” opens as scraping, vibrating synth pulses out along with a steady bass wobble. Tension-filled synth carries a foreboding melody above massively throbbing drums as vast bass heaves.

The main melody creates pleasant terror as it mingles dread, nervous energy and melancholy. Dominating drums and bass deepen the music’s dangerous sensations. An atmosphere clotted with evil hidden in shadow permeates the track as drums and bass guide the music.

Now a vocal sample warns us of our computer programmed reality as spiralling synth increases the fear factor. Glowing synth carries a terrified main melody while deadly weight fills the low end. Delicate notes flit to contrast with the buffeting force below them before silence falls.

Steadily pulsing bass fills the track as rattling, hissing sounds buzz to start “Most Didn’t.” Elevated synth shimmers out above ticking percussion along with tender, rounded synth chords.Taut synth twangs in sharply to create an effective contrast with gliding sounds.

Flickering notes uncurl their tendrils, enfolding the listener as huge bass throbs and drums guide it. A lost feeling fills the higher notes while gigantic bass surges and taut arpeggios twirl. Shivering, notes tremble and silence falls along with crackling sound.

“Ancestor Simulation” begins as unsettling, distorted synth bends while growling bass and guiding drums move below. Haunted, ragged synth drifts with pained emotion in a way I find touching. Glimmering synth exudes a reverent ache above heavy drums and rumbling bass.

Raised, rounded notes shift above shining synth as it carries the hurting melody. After a drum flourish, medium-low synth trembles below the tragedy-tinged main melody that flickers out with deep emotion. The gruff weight below it surges and the drums now fade away.

Jagged bass leaps in short bursts as swirling synth spins around it with a cosmic character to start “Butterfly.” Angular guitar moves in active lines to effectively lift the track’s energy level. Chimes sparkle and ethereal sounds drift past above bass depth as a kick drum pounds and snare drum taps.

Gleaming, elevated notes flicker above the cutting guitar. After a distant voice speaks, darkly throbbing bass joins a thudding kick drum as the ghostly voice chants with an enigmatic quality. Softly brushing notes flicker as a wobbling surge moves below them.

Muscled bass heaves with portentous power while spectrally gliding notes slip in intertwining lines. Chimes flare and guttural guitar snarls while a roaming sound howls with a forlorn feeling. The ghostly voice chants while drums and bass pound with shadowy strength.

“Playtime’s Over” commences with a terrifying, guttural bass explosion that moves into tidal bass. A rapidly trembling arpeggio, full of tension, shivers above tremendous bass while a bell rings and drums tap. A sense of imminent threat flows from the bass as quickly cutting synth pulses.

Brassy synth carries a pleasingly forlorn melody above colliding drums and looming bass. Drums rattle and throb as agitated notes flit before radiant synth carries a pained, tragic melody. Slicing synth forms an actively pulsating line while giant drums roll and thump below and bass rises with dark intent. An agitated arpeggio shifts and the track ends on harsh sound.

Drums hit with crisp strength above sweeping, razor-edged synth to kick off “Holographic Universe.” Enfolding chords flow in the distance above terrifying shadows and heavy drums. Drums and bass form a metronomic pulse below twisting sonic exhalations.

Smoothly glimmering, sliding synth twirls past and slowly shaking notes move through the track. Raised synth cries out as dense bass pulsates and drums hit heavily. String-like, tentative synth twangs, carrying a soothing melody, in contrast to vast bass power and rebounding drums before the track ends.

“Flip Side” comest to life as sparkling bells add tranquility as drums and bass form a guiding pulse. A medium-high, caressing synth carries a hopeful melody, full of exaltation and motion. The main melody is encouraging above the anchoring low end while majestic chords swell up behind it.

I feel motivated and inspired by the main melody as it sails out. Flashing synth takes up the main melody and adds calming light to it above evenly throbbing drums and bass. Worshipful sound fills the background as chiming synth fades. Medium-high, soft-edged synth carries the dreaming melody before the track ends with a sense of peace as tender notes glisten.

Conclusion

Computer Program Reality takes synth building blocks and constructs intricate, emotive music with a lurking terror filling it. 7DD9 evokes all of the uncertainty, potential danger and possible hope for the future that our current technology presents within this album.

Baying Ridges - Echoes Through The Canyon

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Baying Ridges’ Echoes Through The Canyon is a complex sonic web, woven from many auditory strands. It is sophisticated, sometimes challenging music that deftly combines a profusion of different tones, timbres and textures. Baying Ridges makes ambient music with the ability to engage a listener and hold their attention, allowing for deep exploration.

Baying Ridges utilizes his intensely rich sonic palette in intriguing ways on Echoes Through The Canyon. He creates unexpected mixtures of sound that can form intense contrasts or flow into a nuanced and complex whole that gently varies as it unfolds. In spite of being ambient music, there’s so much depth in the soundscape that my ears are always engaged.

Echoes Though The Canyon is also a chance for Baying Ridges to demonstrate his skill in generating mood and atmosphere through sound. The complex way in which each track unfolds allows the music to roam from brilliant light to tenebrous shadow, exuding emotions that range from deep pain to tranquil peace. As a whole, the album is a journey with many facets and emotional moments that draw me in.

I also enjoy the way in which Baying Ridges makes his more experimental side accessible to listeners. I find that, while segments of the album challenge me, I never feel alienated by it. There’s a quality within his music that is strongly appealing, so when things get a bit far out I still find something that keeps me listening.

Track By Track Analysis

“Cortez The Killer” commences as heavily seething, dense sound rumbles while distant, softer sounds blunt the harshness while they continually flow. Rough, static-laden hissing is supported by sonic tendrils trailing while airy sound drifts. Hollow, feather-light sounds trickle past and rounder notes intertwine with ease above blue water bass depths.

A breathing feeling permeates higher notes as static crackles and chiming notes hover while underlying weight buoys them up. All of the sonic elements become a intricate whole that effectively engages the listener. This rework of the Neil Young original lends it complexity and power. Galactic, vast sounds float through with ease.

Metallic, bell-like sound ripples, given definition by the rough crackling background. Massive bass rises like deep ocean currents, shifting with muscled ease as airflow openly slips past and a reverent sense of mystery tinges the track. Rising sound contrasts with scraping static as elevated ringing shifts above it. Crunchy noises mix into the continually entangling, harshly hissing background while overwhelming bass creates forceful sensations. A steadily shifting, high metallic sound rings out with the chaos around it.

Peaceful, deeply settling sounds glide out with rounded, luscious tones and smooth depths below them to open “Towards The Sun.” Bass weaves in to skilfully create a shadowy weight to leaven the lightly touching soundscape. Distant, melancholy notes have a spectral sliding quality as they move with airy motion.

Tautly flashing sound echoes while twisting notes interlock above the growing low end, filling all the auditory space. Medium-high sound creates a pleasing calm while droning low notes support the other sonic elements.

Fluting high notes drift above a tidal sonic wash like aquamarine currents, touched by pained emotion. Haunted notes ripple, lost and seeking direction above underlying shadow. Bright, ethereal notes chime in, sparkling with fragility. The low end drone is tinged with organ-like notes that crescendo and fade out.

“The Eternal Siren” starts as enfolding sound glides out, trembling as it flows. Deeply slipping bass moves below choral sounding notes forming a reverential melodic line. Dense bass rises up in clouds and night insects chirp in the distance. The choral sound has a melancholy quality above its bass underpinning.

Higher, breathier sounds slide past and rise up above the depths underneath. Soothing qualities fill this music along with a wandering feeling. Slowly exhaling notes also flow through the music. A forlorn quality is carried in the voice-like sound along with something enchanting as open-sounding notes shift above thick bass.

A round-sounding instrument adds darker shadings to trailing vocal sounds, echoing out with a lost quality. This well-crafted track exudes mournful emotion, gentleness and a hint of something stranger lurking in the background. The track slowly winds down as the spectral vocal sound carries it to a conclusion.

A metallic clashing mingles with scraping, circular sounds repeating to open “Break Free.” Wobbling, bending bass combines with the other elements to create a lush flow. There’s a sweeping, swirling feeling in the track that I find hypnotic. Bending bass and tapping, echoing metallic noises float out into the void before silence falls.

“I Saw You Once In a Dream and You Were Lost” begins as tremulous, tender sound moves over a glowing background as full, far away notes move far away. Wind-like sound floats as fragile chiming sounds also move. Below a shadowy bass well supports string-like, tentative notes while metallic sounds trail through gently.

The track’s lower sounds form a nervous soundscape moving through cavernous openness. Skittering noises trip through as resonant, vibrating sounds float above bass weight. Shivering sounds brush past while twinkling notes tinge the music. Baying Ridges effectively creates a pervasive, detached feeling in the music. Surging power begins to grow with more than a hint of portent.

Strength contrasts with the delicate soundscape flowing while elevated notes flicker. Slowly shifting, shining high sounds trickle while haunted, yet reverent emotion radiates from the mistily intertwining background. A low drone adds to feelings of vague warning while higher sounds glide past and out into silence.

High-pitched chattering squirms through above echoing lower notes with a worried quality to bring “Sea Creatures” to life. Teeming, squealing sounds raise uncomfortable sensations and a strange whisper permeates the music.

Sounds skip and tumble in the distance, blaring out with rough edges as a squelching sensation fills the elevated sounds. The background cries out with frightening feeling while a caressing noise drifts to leaven the track's unsettling sound. I am suitably discomfited by the track’s crawling sensation.

In the distance, massive weight is lacerated harshly while whispering and the higher notes’ gelid squirm deepens the discomfort level. The sea creatures in the title seem to be wriggling together in a mass through the threatening, bizarre soundscape to generate a distinctly off-kilter auditory environment.

Conclusion

Echoes Through The Canyon* is ambient music with nuance, layered complexity and evocative power. It explores a plethora of moods, images and sensations through the sheer variety and depth of sound that Baying Ridges utilizes. The end result is fascinating and alluring as it draws me through strangeness and beauty.

*please note that this album will be available on June 16, 2023.

Fraver - Artifact

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Fraver’s Artifact takes listeners on a shadowy, dramatic adventure as the intergalactic hero strives to obtain a potent, mystical artifact before it falls into the wrong hands. Fraver uses his synth and guitar palette to paint intricate, exciting imagery and draw listeners into the tale he’s weaving. I find myself wrapped up in his auditory storytelling.

Each instrumental element on Artifact is well-judged to create a specific mood, sonic feeling or energy level. Fraver can wrap the listener in seething darkness, touch their heart with sparkling light and evoke a ferocious space battle as he deploys his auditory arsenal. I find myself absorbed in his tale as he tells it in tone, timbre and texture.

Another reason I am drawn into Artifact’s world is the melodies that Fraver writes. His melodic abilities evoke triumph and tragedy, melancholy and joy as the story unfolds throughout the album. I enjoy the way in which he uses melody to carry the listener along. Each melody reveals another aspect of the storyline as it is woven for us.

I also enjoy the atmospheric nature of Fraver’s music. Each track creates a sensation of being immersed in the atmosphere of the places and experiences that Fraver evokes. I lose myself in the imagery that forms out of all of the musical layering and depth that fills Artifact.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Feel It” beings as heavily throbbing bass intensifies in volume and intertwining, darkly shaded synth trembles. Intimidating bass dominates rebounding kick drum and ticking snare drum that form a guiding pulse. Keen-edged synth carries a roaming melody with a mournful quality above reverently glowing notes.

Sharp guitar slices in, also carrying a pained melody while bass rumbles and drums reverberate. Clean-edged synth flashes brightly, carrying the wandering melody before a guitar cuts in with jagged edges. Distantly drifting synth moves behind the guitar above the guiding low end sounds.

Elevated synth slips through, feeling uncertain and lost before the guitar makes a cutting path through the music. The pleasing main melody floats in again, full of disconnected and aching feeling as the lacerating guitar contrasts with it. The track ends as it fades out on string-like sounds.

Razor sharp, slowly shifting bass moves with angular power into open space to start “Running Away.” Clapping percussion briefly touches the track while chest pounding kick drum pulses. Smoothly gliding, cosmic synth pulses glide, effectively creating contrast with the other sonic elements sharper signature.

Rising, swirling synth drifts over open-voiced percussion as bass oscillates below it. Brassy, minor key synth bursts out in a majestic melody, tinged with shadow as bass motion and guiding drums shape the music. The noble main melody is imbued with an adventurous feeling as hollow sounding arpeggios spin. Drums keep on pulsing far below and the bass undulates easily.

There’s images of sailing across open space for me here as the elevated synth shines with starry light. Hollow drums keep up their motion as the muscled bass heaves and a darkly echoing sound drifts. Gigantic bass oscillates as the main melody shifts through with radiant light and sweeps into quiet.

“Arrival” opens as towering, rough-edged bass growls below resonant, string-like synth notes floating into open space, lost and full of sadness. Reverberating, medium-high synth drifts above the dangerous sensation surging below it.

Round-sounding, triumphant synth soars out, carrying a melody that radiates victorious feelings. The main melody bursts out and the bass pounds before launching into a charging throb along with heavily colliding drums. Distorted, twisting synth carries the melody before slashing guitar cries out, exuding enjoyable strength above the drum and bass heartbeat.

Gleaming lead synth repeats a broadly drifting note pattern accented by blinding synth light. Once again, the guitar cuts into the track with deep power while glittering lead synth flickers out above the hard-hitting bass.

Panpipe synth fills the track’s open space with cosmic, floating notes to begin “Electromagnetic.” Metallic, raised synth pierces the track and punching, driving drums and bass propel it. Gruff, medium-high synth carries a yearning melody out over chest thumping drums and growling bass.

The guitar cuts in with a sharp tone, adding force to the main melody. Underneath it all, drums throb and bass seethes as tinkling synth notes add shine while delicate sounds drift. Bass grows ever more Stygian as the drums pound. Thunder rumbles and rain patters as panpipes flow with ear-pleasing, ethereal sensations.

Medium-high, shining synth carries the melody as it reaches out while the brittle guitar rakes through the music, full of intensity. Elevated sounds have a slicing quality that cries out far above the bass tide while reverent synth glides and silence falls.

“Rise To The Stars” commences as agitated bass pulses move unevenly while swirling radiance fills the background. Colossal kick drum is joined by an evenly guiding snare drums. String-like synth plays a tension-filled, orchestral melody that contrasts well with a warmer feeling in the music.

Threatening bass surges and drums throb with crushing weight as a tripping synth pulse shifts. Nervous, rapidly vibrating synth adds uncertainty as panpipes burst in minor key notes, feeling uneasy and detached. The main melody combines shadow and motion while drums add form above deadly bass.

Galactic sounds move through and glistening synth carries a pained melody. Underneath everything else, void-deep bass enhances the music’s darkness. The main melody feels hurt as it slips above vast depths while off-kilter sounds skip through. The track ends on string-like synth carrying a melancholy melody while drums and bass intimidate before silence falls.

Spaced out, drifting synth chords glimmer and move in as coruscating light pours from elevated synth above solidly pulsing bass to start “The Chase.” Broad-sounding, trumpeting synth carries an ear-pleasing, victorious melody out over bass oscillation as high notes glisten.

Ferocious, biting bass supports the driving percussion to launch the track. Brilliantly shining synth carries the main melody’s proud triumph above titanic, cutting bass and aggressive drums. Undeniable ferocity permeates the track’s low end. A half time segment comes in as ragged synth slowly fades. Now chimes flash out in a sparkling pattern as tranquil notes glide.

Bass oscillates and silky lead synth slips carrying a relaxing melody. The drums hit hard again and growling bass keeps the music in motion. Above it all, the main melody exudes mastery and strength while a guitar dances in now, flickering as the low end slams on.

“New Guns In the Cyber-Arms” begins as harsh 8-bit sounds rise in pulses and churning bass pounds as the digital sounds climb. Super Synthesaurus creates a raging guitar tide that moves below warm notes drifting down to form an interesting contrast.

The drums and bass are an overwhelming, almost physical force as they smash into the music. Digital-sounding synth adds another sonic layer above the guitar maelstrom as drums and bass ram forward.

Again descending notes flit past and thunderous guitar lacerates as 8-bit sounds shiver with a tremulous feeling. There is undeniable power that dominates every aspect of this track.

Angular bass flows in pulsing motion as raging guitar drives in short bursts, open-sounding drums tap and gargantuan bass oscillates to open “Cosmic Darkness.” The guitar cries out with a doom-laden melody as a rounded synth chorus slips past and bass surges below.

I’m drawn to the angry, threatening main melody as it unfolds. Bass heavily throbs and more gentle sounds float past in contrast. The guitar is accented by creaking, digital sound as hollow drums throb. Expressive, medium-high synth carries a caressing melody, in contrast to the guitar's absolute rage.

Percussion shapes the music and muscled guitar shifts. Now the lead synth flows delicately while ethereal notes shift an the guitar slices again. A more dynamic melody is carried by sailing synth while the low end drives on. The guitar adds dangerous force before the track ends on tender notes.

Conclusion

Fraver’s Artifact is one of those albums that transports me. I find myself soaring through the stars, outrunning the villains and making a mystical discovery with the album’s hero. Throughout it all, the shadows grow and I wait with excitement for the tale’s climax.