DAV DRALLEON - STREET KRVZADER

Review by Atomic Rabo-Kid

In Dav Drelleon’s latest LP, STREET KRVZADER, We find ourselves in the dark alleyways of Abaddon, a City full of repression. A City whose citizens are controlled through force, either physical or psychological. Dangerous gangs exerting violent power and mega corporations twisting the use of AI to manipulate the human mind. The evil Valhalla have the city under total control! Or do they? Thankfully, all is not lost due to groups of rebellious factions uniting and creating Zantetsuken. A hybrid cyborg that welds immense power and battle prowess! They are the only hope to save humanity and destroy the machines that threaten its survival! 

'Who will survive this war? Let's listen to find out!

'Metal Warriors' is a powerful introduction both to the brutal sonic soundscapes which is prevalent across this album and to one of the aforementioned rebellious factions. Epic guitar work sets the scene whilst a high tempo synth melody sets the blood to boiling point. The street battles are violent and so is this track! Vicious guitar hooks ensnare us, as Dav Dralleon showcases his extreme ability to play extremely barbaric music!

'Deathbringer' Feat. Irving Force is a track I've been wanting to hear from Dav Dralleon for a long time. As, I've been intrigued to discover what such aggressive music sounds like with equally aggressive vocals. Boy, I'm not disappointed, It easily satisfies my intrigue! Irving Force does an incredible job here and his ferocious vocals align perfectly with the unbridled aggression of this track. The vocal skills are perfectly balanced, showing similarities between the voices of the front men from Cradle of Filth and Sylosis. A scorching track! 

'Street Krvzader' starts with a face melting riff and an explosive array of brutal beats! Heavy metal percussion helps create an intense juxtaposition with the guitar work fluctuating into an aggressive series of cutting grooves! Heavy breakdowns and risers grab your attention throughout!

'Vulkan Force' launches us straight into the action, with a fast and frantic higher end solo guitar and interesting dark glitched vocal elements. This is supercharged high tempo action, at its best! Furious lead guitar pierces through the background of rapid fire doom laden beats. There's ample amounts of glitched percussive sampling that makes for an explosive listen. 

The glitched beats remain with 'Quarter Of The Iron Priest', with a heightened intensity and sensitivity in crafting a soundscape that to my ear, at least, is reminiscent of Aphex Twin, when his tracks let rip into an explosive percussive sequence. It's pure genius the way these beat led rhythmic elements are woven and timed to perfection! 

'Zantetsuken' explodes through the speakers with violent guitar and rapid fire drums culminating in a bass filled deep rhythm that would rile up a mosh pit with devastating effect! More signature glitchy, metal, noise percussion rips through the expertly laid riffs. This track, like most on the album in fact, is simply mind-blowing. 

Sludgy dark structural elements, cutting lead guitar, frantic beats and a touch of the orient is what 'Ryu Cyberblade' is all about. Revenge is what he seeks and Abaddon should be fearful for he is a powerful lone warrior out for blood! This track encapsulates raw high adrenaline fight scenes where bad blood is spilt by the plenty! 

Somehow the tone finds a way to get even darker, monstrous growls and tuned down plucks introduces us to 'Vertikall Daemon' Feat. Moris Blak. These swarming sounds pass by us paving the way for a blistering onslaught of sound where the darkest techno ensues. This attack takes on a more dance floor persona, than is evident in the rest of the album and I love it!  There's an awesome balance of Dark Techno, powerful percussion, deep shredding and the darkest of Darksynth. What a blend and with magnificent results! 

The tense atmospheric emotions are well crafted in 'Valhalla Sektor 99', the track starts with futuristic sweeps and metallic thuds. High pitched synth work creates an eerie, deathly soundscape. 'Valhalla Sektor 99', set on a lower BPM, takes us into a deep journey into the cyber city of Abaddon, through the intense layers of sound. Drone sounds and darkness that culminate in terrifying vocal samples. 

'Abaddon Lethal Future Shock' is the finale, to a truly mind blowing album. The despairing future of the City of Abaddon is played through with intensity with plenty of twists and turns. An epic track, on every level, for every second in this monster 9 minute 11 seconds song! 

Overall,  STREET KRVZADER is honestly one of the heaviest and meticulously excellent albums I've heard in a very long time. Perhaps, even ever! Which is saying something having grown up on albums like Sepultura's 'Arise' and Slayers 'Reign in Blood'. Dav Dralleon has captured the essence of pure violence and bottled it in a sound that represents raw, unadulterated, visceral aggression. Sure, it may not be everyone's cup of tea. But, who wants tea when you can drink straight from the bottle with the dark lords and become an immortal? 

Dav Dralleon deserves tons more attention than he currently receives, after all he manages the roles and skills of a multitude of band members usually expected in a traditional metal band. He brings new elements with every release and is a sonic force to be reckoned with! A real master of the heavy metal craft demonstrating not only highly skilled technique but also an understanding of how to get you up and headbanging! Or, whatever the kids do these days! Song composition is just spot on, complex and technically brilliant!  STREET KRVZADER blends traditional heavy metal elements with Metalcore, Shredwave, Darksynth, Cyberpunk and Metalstep seamlessly and with incredible results. There's a lot in this for any fan of the harder styles of metal music or any of the genres mentioned above. So, prepare yourself! Then, go and have a listen!

For more Dav Dralleon visit his BANDCAMP and Instagram

Full Eclipse - In Place Of Power

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Full Eclipse’s In Place Of Power features mature, emotionally engaging songwriting supported by Full Eclipse’s unique vocal style and a musical backing that has richness, complexity and depth to it. The end result is an album which delves into the widely varied terrain of human experience and draws listeners into the journey on which it travels. 

I am fascinated and galvanized by the lyrics that Full Eclipse has written for In Place Of Power. The lyrics are pure poetry and dissect the inherent contradictions and complexities of human emotion. Full Eclipse doesn't shy away from discussing difficult feelings and ideas, but his songwriting is never less than fully engaging as he does so.

The way in which Full Eclipse uses his voice is another strong aspect of the album’s success. He has a resonance and expressive quality to his voice that captures some of the uncertain emotion in the lyrics and delivers them in a way that pulls me into them. I like to hear Full Eclipse sing. 

All of the musical elements are well thought out and subtly emphasize the atmosphere of each song. Nothing takes over or fades too much and the musical choices are superb. I’d especially like to mention Michael W. Stuart’s sax work on the album as I feel that his performance drives the music’s emotion home. 

 My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“This Place Has Power” comes to life as heavy bass flows out underneath raised, effulgent notes that wander through the music with sharp edges. Now strong drums move in and pulsate with guiding energy as synth flows out with soothing motion and the active low end gives the track shape. Now we drift into a calming section in which tranquil notes caress the ears and the track slips into silence.

Gleaming notes move above deep bass with a sharp edge sound in the distance as “Reeling” opens. Metallic chimes ring out and the drums and bass create a steady pulse as Full Eclipse’s unique voice chants the words.

Bereft emotion fills the vocal melody. Flaring notes blossom out as the drums and bass keep smoothly guiding the music. I enjoy the chanting quality of the vocals while piano notes jump out into the track. This song has an undeniable heartbeat. Drums batter and piano chords move as the song grows in power.

Bright notes ripple through and the percussion keeps throbbing. Now the track moves into a peacefully drifting section as the piano has a rather melancholy feeling and the low end pushes forward. Guitar cries out now with keening notes moving above the steady low end pulse before the song ends.

Our storyteller starts off with a powerful image as “frost glasses blur the cold moonlight from here to there then it's passing away.” He talks about a house angled into one's line of sight that gives the impression of something imprisoned within.

The narrator says that it's the last stop and a first look at a new home. He talks about old habits spread and magnified and a fire burned down to embers. In the new house there's a new life to step into.

In a sudden rush the storyteller is reeling out of “this broken house is coming loose and rising high and catching fire" as it all falls apart and collapses.

There's a “slow motion shattering of glass” and the windows flash as they fall. The narrator is outside now and there's no going back. He finds himself staring into mirrors as he crawls.

Now the storyteller is being pelted by rain “driven down through riven skies." the path that he was promised hasn't appeared and he has to push through the night " to realize everything's lost in time." He continues to slip by and find himself "reeling out into the very last. "

“More” starts out as elevated noises drift as big drums and muscle base moves below a sort of choral sounding synth. Extended, medium-low notes play out into the music as the drums and bass keep pulsing. Gritty, shining synth moves with Full Eclipse’s deeply felt voice as chimes shimmer.

The low end has an insistent quality as the wide sounding, glowing synth flows through and the piano adds warmth and a moving quality as it echoes out. Gigantic bass rumbles and the drums are even as glistening, medium-low notes shift. Full Eclipse’s vocal performance skillfully creates depth and emotional engagement.

Piano floats out with a minor key shadow touching It as the low end floats below. Chimes flicker brightly while the vocals exhale with a softly whispering quality. The guitar calls out with fuzzy edges as the drums touch softly. The track ends on bursting drums, Full Eclipse’s melancholy voice and flickering chimes while the guitar twists in the distance.

The narrator talks about waves crashing down on “hearts and minds erased in sound” as we feel change inside of ourselves. All of us hold on as we “brace against the flow.” The narrator asks if change is so wrong because “ we haven't felt the power in a long, long time now.”

Our storyteller says that for our whole lives we couldn't help but bend. We had a perfect view ahead of “rolling waves and what they send." Now we can see “a face in the clouds, a storm in the distance so people will take their time, battle for more, ride the waves and “open up till we drift away.

A low hanging moon glows and the narrator says that the water “ folds us in ”as the moonlight shines through it and glimmers off of one's skin. The rolling waves open up a door and “we’re hand in hand as we stand at the edge saying “no, more, I want more.”

Colossal bass pounds while quickly pulsing synth notes cut in to commence “Highway Nipigon.” Full Eclipse’s vocals have a floating and distant quality while plaintive synth cries out in extended lines. Guitar winds through while Full Eclipse’s voice contains tremulous expression within it.

The drums keep calling while the guitar expresses melancholy and wistful feelings. Full Eclipse captures a world of feeling in his voice with an ominous touch. The guitar calls out with warmth and yearning while the gigantic drums keep guiding the music. I enjoy the way in which the vocals encapsulate the emotion of the lyrics.

Chimes sparkle with solar brightness while the low end throbs on. The vocal melody conveys a feeling of loss within it and there's vulnerability in the music. The guitar in the distance adds to the emotional depth of the music. Full Eclipse’s unique voice carries the song.

Our storyteller talks about adding a “splash of new paint” as he and another person are rolling away. He says they took back themselves, their "no look back" selves because they weren't planning on staying.

The narrator creates an image of “carriage horses under the sky” travelling west with “foaming mouths and rolling eyes” He says that all of the “motion and feel seems so real.” He talks about moving into the light which creates sharpened sight to see "how we look when we're unconcealed.”

We are warned by the storyteller that "there's always blood-soaked wolves out there." He speaks of shaking it apart and saving the best part. He adds that they'll “ stop pretending without ending.” The storyteller goes on to say the pictures have been erased as they're rolling away.

The narrator talks about crossing the highway as the “ night changed to day.” He speaks of wide-ranging emotion on far away vistas as they move “towards a new sun. ”

“Current Sky” opens as fragile chimes shimmer while bass glides out along with intertwining guitar echoing into the distance. There's peace within the Music as the guitar chords flow out. Now drums create shape as chimes twinkle and full eclipses voice has pain and tenderness within it as it carries the caressing melody.

The drums and bass are subtle while the scintillating chimes add delicate light. A reverent quality fills Full Eclipse’s voice along with hurt. Illumination radiates from the music while the vocals enfold the listeners' ears. Now the drums rebound and a saxophone lends gutsy, emotive strength to the music while the bass flares underneath.

I enjoy the emotion in the saxophone as it calls out with passionate feeling as the drums gently guide the music underneath. The saxophone reaches a crescendo, howling out with feeling as flashing chords repeat. Full Eclipse’s voice takes hold of my heart and the song ends with sparkling light and slipping bass.

The narrator creates an image of the song subject’s cloud moving on “in a broken sky.” He says that all of the other person's cares came along with them. He goes on to say that he "almost saw your point of view " but at the last moment he saw the whole of the other person.

Our storyteller says that “you push too much in slow dreams and quote and learn that the more you push “the slower they turn.” He says that the other person is waiting in the sky for current news and “for the high power with the human views.”

When the song’s subject was "coming back from that state of strange” the narrator saw them change as they clawed at the air. He talks about how they “went above the clouds in the current sky” and above the moon until they died.

Our storyteller points out that they say that everything lost gets replaced by something new. He adds that “ for all that we know it could add to the whole of you.” He talks about “every intricate low and one singular high” all being reflected in the other person's eyes, full of desperation.

He concludes “I saw you were above the clouds in the current sky, wave goodbye. "

Swelling notes are joined by echoing piano and guitar with a digital sound that climbs above it as trumpet-like synth floats to start “True Looking Glass.” Piano notes scintillate, interlocking with guitar that winds through with vague darkness pouring from it and bass moves to the slightly hissing background adds depth.

The guitar melody has a wonderfully haunting quality and the piano and some weight. The drums softly pulse to shape the music while synth tendrils wrap around the low end. The drums are strong while the piano feels lost. The entire track exudes feelings of openness mingled with more tragic feelings

“Witness Us” commences as fuzzed out, gritty guitar moves with solid drums and heavy bass. broad chimes ring out with a metallic edge as the drums pulse. Smoking Gore’s vocalist has a full voice with dark shadings that pulls me in while the drums tap in the distance and a gently swirling, somewhat ominous sound.

The drums clash and the chorus comes in with a sense of threat hovering in the background. Guitar adds a nervous feeling while the drums keep tapping. An elevated, hollow synth flows through with a disconnected sensation while the drums hit hard. The vocals fade out as gruff noise moves in the distance and bells with a harsh quality ring. A haunting feeling permeates the music.

Wide sounding bells call out as if hit with a hammer and the massive drums guide the chorus. Now the guitar winds out in a ghostly melody and the drums tower over the music. The drifting melody has a terrified quality in it while the low end batters. The piano rings out now with a melody conveying a sense of bereft pain as bass floats of the distance.

Minor key shadings permeate the piano as we flow through a section where reverent sound continues in a long line and electric bass moves below as the drums hit hard again. The guitar cries out with strength and confusion as the drums press onto a conclusion.

Our narrator warns us to be careful "what you whisper around your little spy” and speaks about how people are prone to taking the suggestions made by certain online companies' algorithms. He talks about how when one feeds these devices information, along with supplying reactions, we shape the way in which they respond.

The storyteller talks about this digital information like firing a gun. He goes on to ask " don't you feel connected, ain't all your nervousness gone?" He continues by saying that if people “think like we do, they will take the sky. "

Our narrator ends by saying that we’ll “supply destruction, there's nowhere to hide” and as the song fades one can hear him add that he wishes he never turned the device on.

Piano chords with deep power move along with a steadily flowing, smooth synth flow float “Path of the Knife.” The guitar climbs up above, full of emotive power as the piano cuts in and calls out. The drums brush and then Full Eclipse’s resonant voice carries the shadowed melody.

The piano continues to flash with clean, clear notes. The drum beat guides the music as the piano carries a melody with a hint of warmth and yearning. It also has light flowering from it as bells slip past and the drums throb. Panpipes contribute a breathy component and the low end pulsates.

Full Eclipse's voice fills the music with deep feeling as a huge drums trip past. The guitar adds more weight to the music and the piano intertwines with it, almost triumphant. The song comes to an end with soaring guitar.

The storyteller begins by saying that in the twilight “we saw ice crystal things suddenly appear." He talks about saying that they looked up into the early night sky at the moon and “felt the slow hush in the frozenair. "

Our narrator asks why we should ever look down because "we can watch the sky revolve while we stand still." He adds that we become “frozen in the path of the knife that has time to kill. "

Now the storyteller stands like a still life “in the path of a knife.” He says that in their town, in the darkness, the knife will tear them apart. Again they're frozen in time, looking up at the sky. Meanwhile the knife is moving “travels its arc and finds its mark "

“Welcome Home” begins with solid drums and worshipful synth flowing out as piano entangles and Full Eclipse’s voice shivers with desolate emotion. Soothing piano notes float while tremulous synth moves. Full Eclipse imbues his voice with complex emotion as piano notes flutter through.

Now the drums pulse alone into open space. The vocals capture the full range of the lyrics and their deep feeling. There's something meditative in the music as the piano slides through with warmth and heartache. Deep yearning suffuses the piano melody and the low end shapes the music. I am touched by the performance that Full Eclipse gives here.

The saxophone climbs in with a heartbreaking feeling pouring out from it. The music’s emotional tenor is reflected in this solo with its jazzy wanderings. Piano rings out the background and Full Eclipse tugs at the heartstrings with his singing. The saxophone carries the song out above the gliding background with intense feeling filling it.

The storyteller says that he's never seen a night look like this ever before and “the lightning that strikes leaves a lasting brushstroke on the front door.” He goes on to say that they'll step inside the familiar glow of a place with which they're well acquainted. They’ll greet each other there while the memories flow.

Our narrator contrasts the warmth of the previous lines by talking about how it's a house of “quiet unrest” that feels tense and expectant. It's quiet and lonely but still feels “ right at home” in spite of the inevitable presence of death. As he stares off into the darkness, he says he hopes to hear the front door open wide.

The storyteller goes on to say that “with a shiver and a sigh, I'll look deep in your eye and I'll say welcome home, step inside.” He talks about how downstairs there is both a lie and a light before concluding “don't say a thing, I don't care, tonight I'll let you in.”

Conclusion

In Place Of Power unfolds in a long tide of deep feeling, skillful songwriting and one of a kind vocal performances from full eclipse. When one adds in the well thought out musical backing, one ends up with one of the most emotionally engaging synth-based albums out there right now.

Diamond Ace - Empty Spaces

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Diamond Ace’s Empty Spaces takes listeners on a journey across a richly textured audio landscape that encompasses many styles and moods as it unfolds. It combines Diamond Ace's guitar skills with strong performances from guest artists as it travels through a wide swath of different synth based styles. There's a depth and expression within the music that draws me into this album. 

The heart of Empty Spaces is Diamond Ace’s guitar playing. His skill on the instrument  allows him to convey atmosphere and emotion throughout the album. He can caress the ears  and fill the listener with calm or launch them forward with explosive energy depending on what the music calls for. in his hands, the guitar carries me away.

Another aspect of Empty Spaces that I enjoy is the inclusion of Roxy Fae, Mayah Camara and Lisa Marie Perkins as guest performers. All of these women have powerful voices, expressive strength and add more depth to the music. I enjoy the way that they each capture the mood of the songs on which they perform. It was an excellent choice to include them on the album.

All of the sonic layers on this album give it a detailed sound. Each different element from his synth choices to the guitar and percussion contributes to the overall layering of the music. Diamond Ace has done an excellent job of interweaving tones, textures and timbres to create ear grabbing music. 

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Descending” comes into being as spaced out, floating guitar slides into the music with a relaxed feeling. Pervasive calm suffuses the music and the drums provide a steady pulse while softly trickling synth flows out in an easy-going line. The guitar entangles, filling the music with peaceful ease. 

Drums add shape while rain trickles in the background. A feeling of caressing and enfolding fills the music as it carries me away to a quiet place. Raised, softly touching synth notes rush through the music while the drums and bass keep up a steady heartbeat. Above it, raised notes glimmer while water flows. The track ends on delicate guitar fading into a low end pulse.

Solid bass rumbles far below as a quick burst of  bright notes flashes through  to open “New Dawn.” The bass becomes  insistent while hollow percussion  throbs along with flaring bells. Bass tumbles and drums flourish as the  track drives forward  with propulsive energy.  

Flashing notes vault while arpeggios twirl and the drums pulse. There's a sense of progress and new horizons that I enjoy. Now the drums and bass lock into a pulsation that adds strong motion to the track. Medium-high synth trips through with energetic life. 

The drums tick and tap while flaring notes leap out and the drums keep throbbing. Intense light fills the music along with constant low end motion underneath. After  drums flourish, hollow percussion comes in again and the music keeps pressing forward to a conclusion.

“Data” starts with a cymbal clash while luminescent notes rapidly tremble through the music. The tumbling notes create a textured feeling as they trip past. a solidly throbbing kick drum  hits hard below the starry  notes  that flicker above. Guitar thunders into the music with colossal power and charges into an uplifting melody while the drums burst below. 

There's inspiration and encouragement in the melody as it soars out above the rebounding percussion. The track slips into a segment in which ethereally intertwining notes float through open space with a serene quality. The bass is a deep well far below and the guitar has jazzy overtones as it tumbles through the music. 

The bass undulates and now silence falls briefly. The guitar flies in again crying out with wild energy and passionate life while the drums and bass drive the music onwards. I enjoy the sense of unleashed freedom that the guitar creates as it arcs into the music. The low end has forceful motion in it as it drives on. Diamond Ace shows his guitar skills  as he lets loose with his intertwining solo. There's a real heartbeat in the music as it presses on to a conclusion. 

Glowing chords wash with lambent illumination as rich base undulates far below to open “Vibrance.” The bass ripples and drums clash before settling into a smooth beat. High above sparkling notes cascade while string-like notes  interlock. 

Elevated, shining synth carries a soothing melody out over the  smoothly pulsing low end. I enjoy the way in which the sparkling notes add tender light. Angular bass shapes the music and the drums keep bursting underneath. 

Chiming notes ring out with flashing light as the track moves forward. There's a feeling of constant gliding and washing motion as the track sales onwards. The music falls silent with lightly touching drums and gleaming chords.

“Say That You Love Me” commences as luscious bass rumbles quietly below intertwining, delicate notes that flow with soothing emotion touching them. Now huge drums add direction to the music as Roxy Fae’s passionate and heart touching voice sings wordless vocals. 

Glistening light shines from an elevated synth that echoes out as Roxy Fae's expressive voice captures the need and love in the lyrics. Intensely shining  synth fills the music with  illumination as the smooth drums add shape to the music. 

The vocals have a unique flavour and I am drawn towards the deep emotion flowing from the caressing vocal melody. Diamond Ace’s guitar cries out with intense, touching emotion suffusing every note. the low end keeps up the heart beat and bass forms a rich well far below. The guitar pours out affection and desire as the song draws to a close.

Our storyteller asks how the song's subject could walk into a place and "your eyes get wider when you see me.” She wonders how the other person could look at her face and think she was the thing they were  missing. 

She questions how it is that the other person could touch  her hand and think “you understand every facet of my being.”  She questions how the song's subject could think they know her and asks how the other person could say they love her.

The narrator points out that she's only known the song's subject for a short while. It makes her wonder how she can "look at your eyes and see time stretching out in front of me.” She goes on to ask why it is that she can lay in the other person's bed and “feel more at home than I've ever felt.”  She's amazed by the way in which the song's subject has broken through her shell. 

“Nothing Stays The Same” comes to life as splashy, sharp edged drums explode into the music while shivering, reverberating synth trembles into the music. Fragile, tentative guitar moves gently as it carries a meditative, peaceful melody while the drums wrap out and the bass moves with luscious weight below. 

Diamond Ace’s guitar wraps around my ears, embracing me with melancholy and tender emotion. The drums fade away as the guitar reaches out, bass throbbing with power. After the drums come in with energetic pulsing, the guitar returns for a moment with a settling and lightly touching feeling. 

Now the more powerful sounding guitar moves with the dynamic feeling before again sliding into a melody that draws me close and soothes me as it unfolds the contrast with the clean drums is strong. The guitar cries out again, unfurling with soaring emotion that carries the song to an end. 

Bell-like notes twinkle out through the music as a hi-hat ticks to start “Trip To Nowhere.” The guitar forms a steadily interlocking pulse before drums hit and solid base starts to throb out. 

The brilliant notes add a steady, raised sparkle as the bass undulates. Now the drums keep pulsing along with the deep bass as shining notes flicker. The guitar carries a dynamic melody with a feeling of floating and journeying as piano-like notes move underneath.  

The bass pushes on as the diaphanous guitar dances and gleams while the drums shape the music. if there's a brief record scratch, while glittering notes all  cascade together and then the guitar comes in again with the melody that has energy and a feeling of exploration in the music. The track ends on light-filled notes glowing out above the drums as it bends and twists to an end.

“Running” begins as flashing synth leaps out above smoothly rippling bass, growing in strength. The kick drum adds a solid pulse and Mayah Camara’s vocals come in with smooth flow and emotion. Chimes flit past with luminosity  shining from them. 

I enjoy the way in which Mayah Camara captures the emotion in the lyrics with intense feeling. Blaring notes continue to add more brightness to the music while the low end presses forward. The drums keep bursting while the crystalline chimes flicker past. 

Conviction and confidence fill the vocals, as they speak of taking a new step forward. The bass keeps undulating and the gleaming notes jump out above the impassioned vocals. Diamond Ace's guitar rings out, slightly sharp-edged as it intertwines and cries out with intricate notes weaving together to create a sense of boundless motion. 

The vocals return with the chorus, yearning for a better future. The song keeps pulsing forward with shining chimes and powerful guitar. The song ends on bass pulsing, the guitar echoing out and Mayah Camara expressing herself with real feeling. 

The storyteller says that she needs a chance to breathe out in her desperation because “I've been through the suffocation of holding back.” She goes on to say that in anticipating exploration, she has the affirmation that she's on the right track.

Our narrator says that she's been running away from everything while   “running to almost anything.”  She says that she's running towards her destiny while trying to build a legacy for herself.

Now the storyteller wants “a new situation with no limitations." She wants to explore a different destination. She goes on to say that she doesn't need any complications and she's got no hesitation, she just wants to be elevated more.

As the song ends, she goes on to say “everything I've known, I'm ready to leave behind.” Nothing in her life was her own and everything felt like it was by design. Now she'll redefine who she is and she's confident that will happen with success.

A tight guitar line repeats and grows in volume as a wandering synth pattern twists through the music and bass grows in power to open “The Warriors [March Of The Robots]. ” The drums burst while Diamond Ace sends his guitar flying out in an inspiring melody. Lisa Marie Perkins sings the dark vocals with intense expression as the gigantic drums pound. 

There's a sense of strength in the vocals that captures the feeling in the words well. Shivering notes dance by as the low end drives on. The guitar adds blazing luminosity as Lisa Marie Perkins catches the lyrics in her voice. 

Now the guitar twists again before the massive drums throb and twirling notes interlock in the distance. There's an ominous feeling in the lyrics. the guitar leaps out for a moment before the talk pulse spins. Dominating percussion pounds on while the guitar intertwines.

Our narrator talks about how the darkness in their minds “creates the chaos of our memories.” She says that they're stuck in a time loop with nowhere to go.  There's a void in their heads that “destroys everything of who we are.” 

The storyteller says that they'll rise up and stand tall because they're the warriors. She creates a vivid image and she talks about their “memories  chained to the ground, silent faces on the walls for days.”

The robots look back at who they were and are driven to cut the cords that bind them and escape.

“Too Soon Pt. 2”  commences as bass rushes underneath while a tenderly flowing synth slips past. Broad drums tap into the music to create a smooth beat while lush guitar flickers. The guitar becomes a funky pulse along with bouncing drums as slipping chords sail out into the distance. 

The drums and bass have a compelling groove that I enjoy. Now bass trembles as distant sounds flip past and create peaceful feelings. Rounded notes drift and wrap around the listener. The track grows in power again as the guitar cuts in with encircling warmth. 

The drums brush softly before along with sliding bass before there's a flourish of drums and the groovy pulse comes in again. Washing notes slide together and float out above the percussive pulse below  them. There's tranquility in this music while it is still shaped by the percussion. The music slowly fades into quiet as the track ends.

Ethereal notes call out while echoing guitar shimmers through the music in the distance  to start off “Ascendance.” The bass has a haunting quality as metallic noises tremble far away. I am pervaded by melancholy feelings and  the sense of something lost in this track. Piano-like notes with a widely flowing sound cry out into openness while the whole track moves with meditative calm  before falling silent. 

Conclusion

Empty Spaces carries me across emotional landscapes which touch me deeply as they unfold. Diamond Ace’s guitar along with  the guest vocalists and his skill at layering different sonic elements pulls me into the album and holds my attention as it unfolds.

NINA + RICKY WILDE - Remixed Hearts

Written by Vero Faye Kitsuné

2023 gave us some amazing records - so much so that ABSYNTH was compelled to initiate their very first Year’s Best Record’s List. One jewel of a record was Scala Hearts, the collaborative LP by Berlin-based synthwave Queen NINA and legendary British songwriter and producer (and brother to famed pop icon Kim Wilde) Ricky Wilde, released via synthwave label titan NewRetroWave. The record smashed its way onto iTunes electronic album charts and the UK Official Downloads Charts. Now, the duo has released the follow up remix record entitled Remixed Hearts, featuring kaleidoscopic reinterpretations by a diverse lineup of synth and electronic musician-producers. What first started as a remix competition became quite a stunning, colorful end package.

'Fade Me Out' gets an up-beat dreamscape reinterpretation by synthwave artist L'Avenue, while Oscillian gives the same track an anthemic, downtempo noir drama. Wolfclub adds sparkling lights and haze to the palm tree-lined soundscapes of “LA Dreamers”, while Makeup And Vanity Set’s tasteful, minimal and trippy arpeggiated rework of 'Lovers On A Beach’ gives true retro-futurist disco vibes. Radio Wolf harkens David Lynch-esque dark noir in his reinterpretation of 'Causeway' that seems to curiously bring both The Cure and Vangelis to mind.

One of the great surprises and thrills in this remix record is the very grand, full studio ensemble reinterpretation of ‘Videotheque’ by Project K. This glorious and stunning rendition is truly more of a reimagination than a remix that would transport you to the iconic dance floor of Studio 54. And Ricky’s own remix of ‘Living In Sin’ gets an even more rocked out synth steroids against the backdrop of lush, crystalline arpeggios.

Other remixers include Steve Anderson (Brothers In Rhythm), remix maven Initial Talk (Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue), rising Aussie synthpop sensation Brigitte Bardini, synth superstar Parallels, Slackmachine, Paul Dekeyne, TLF, Electric Penguins, Rayne Reznor, Bearly Disco, Chrisarama, and PYN.

Scala Hearts - The Remix Album* is out now via NewRetroWave. A must-have for all NINA and Ricky Wilde fans.