BELLA ETERNA - Fire

Written by Chris Magdalenski

Echoes of Darkness and Dancefloor’s Past: A Review of Fire by Bella Eterna

The bass drops straight in. The intensity of the pulse telling me in no uncertain terms that dark synthpop duo Bella Eterna is going to paint me a sonic picture with pigments sourced straight from the 80’s. Accompanied by eerily grandiose synth pads, laser precise drum lines, and angsty vocals this is music that begs to be played at maximum volume, preferably within the hallowed halls of a murky lit club.

The four song EP includes three original tracks and one remix, all of which are eminently listenable. Even though my own club hopping days are all but over, I can very easily imagine a crowd of black-clad denizens vibing with what this dark duo is offering. Both the production and the musicianship is top-notch, imbuing the project with a modern feel that keeps one foot steadily in the goth glories of the past.

My only complaint is that the album isn’t long enough. I’m definitely looking forward to hearing more from Bella Eterna soon.

For more Belle Eterna, visit https://bellaeterna.bandcamp.com/

Stranded Alien & Pashang 爬上 - Night of the Invasion of the Nazi Marsupial Werewolves from Outer Space

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Pashang & Stranded Alien’s Night of the Invasion of the Nazi Marsupial Werewolves from Outer Space is enormously entertaining and full of first-rate musicianship. The concept of a cheesy horror movie soundtrack is well captured, but given extra ear-pleasing quality by the caliber of the performances and writing on the album. It's clear that Pashang & Stranded Alien were having fun here while still retaining their high levels of skill and musicality.

The first thing that strikes me about this album is the sheer entertainment it represents. Pashang & Stranded Alien have woven together all the elements one needs for a first-rate horror movie soundtrack. The synth sounds are all haunting and unsettling, the performance on the instruments creates the right sensations and the musical elements produce uncomfortable and threatening atmospheres. Taken together, the sound is spot on.

I’d also like to remark on the sheer talent on display throughout this album. Pashang & Stranded Alien have great skill and a real ear for what makes music good. Their mixture of music-making enjoyment and ability to write strong music is an absolutely irresistible combination. Each time I listen, I’m reminded of just how good these two are. The end result is an album I could listen to over and over with no trouble at all.

Melodically speaking, this is also a strong album. The artists write melodies that are engaging, atmospheric, and full of interesting sonic moments. Sometimes horrorsynth music can be a little repetitive, but in the hands of these artists, it is anything but. The melodies are strong and quite a lot of fun as they express all of the terror that lurks in the album’s cinematic story.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“It Came from Outer Space on the Night of the Full Moon” comes into being as a slowly drifting, ghostly synth shifts as colossal bass rumbles. The brighter synth contrasts with full-sounding notes that move with assurance while the fierce bass thunders. Now the smoothly punching drums move with the organ-like synth entangling and gliding. The melody is dreamy and surprisingly gentle, reaching out with tranquility toward me.

The cymbals add a metallic clash while slowly sweeping, tightly unwinding synth bends with an eerie quality. The drums drive again as the majestic and twisted melody wanders. A synth reverberates as the drums move with a loose-limbed speed. Melancholy pervades the melody while the drums cascade and shape the music. The rounded synth bubbles and glides while cymbals clash and the drums continue to push forward.

A luscious-sounding guitar slips past with calming elegance as panpipe notes breathe out. The drums explode again and flourish while the track slips towards its conclusion, with brightness suffusing the soothing melody before the track closes on slipping sounds.

Towering bass growls as scintillating notes shine with triumph to kick off “Fire Road 13”. The drums erupt as a steadily hovering synth creates nervous sensations and the huge bass looms. In the distance, a synth floats with ethereal, diaphanous sensations while the expertly played drums rebound.

Elevated notes cry out fearfully and trembling chimes drift. The melody that emerges from the glistening synth is full of pain and barely contained terror, while a twisting, nasal-sounding synth calls out above the battering drums. The atmosphere created on this track is suitably full of lurking menace and tension.

Alien-sounding synth carries out with a gossamer melody, trailing like a half-formed vision, while the hard-hitting drums punch. Melancholy rises along with a hint of tenderness while the percussion reaches a fever pitch. As the bending notes roam, the explosive drums hit hard and the track closes with forceful dynamism.

"Marsupial" opens as urgent bass and rapidly shivering drums move with a steady pulse in the distance. Quickly dancing piano laps like soft water against the shore, while string-like notes move above the deeply undulating bassline. A string section flows with gentle emotion, contrasting with the threatening weight underneath, while the drums brush softly.

Sweeping noises drift as the strings carry a roaming melody which is surprisingly touching as it calls out. The electric bass sails along with laid-back motion, in contrast to the quickly moving drums and ticking hi-hat. Despite the smoothness of the main melody, a lurking sense of wrongness continues below, adding to the atmosphere in a way I find effective.

The strings glitter with delicate luminosity while the metallic ring of the hi-hat moves with a Theremin-like synth. Cascading notes rapidly whip through the music as a wobbling, spectral synth adds unsettling sounds. Sharp-edged bass tumbles as the wildly spinning notes dance past it. An organ-like synth adds darkness as it flows past, and ominous notes oscillate as the twisted synth cries out with terrified feelings and weird sounds wobble.

The bass moves quickly as elevated notes add a feeling of impending doom, before the piano begins to twinkle again and the madly flying melody fades to quiet.

The drums have a solid punch as 8-bit notes twinkle and pulse to open “Witch Burner.” The piano chords are gleaming while the steadily twirling, digitized arpeggio dances. A wobbling synth joins the piano to trickle with soft, misty sounds, and the chimes cut as the luminous synth flashes.

The softly expressive synth drifts with a minor key delicacy while the drums continue to cascade. Rapid flashes of light trip as the piano shimmers luminously and the drums collide. The main melody is full of gossamer ghostliness in a way that galvanizes me. The elevated notes sweep with smoothness and the drum beat ticks easily as the piano glitters.

The drums disappear as sweeping sounds move for a moment before they return, cymbals adding a metallic element while the subtly vibrating notes carry a melody full of aching strangeness. As the main melody glides past, notes move in a synchronized pulse, shining with fragile light as the drums pound and rebound. The main melody shivers and roams with something eldritch.

The rising synth has a choral quality as it cries out with worshipful emotion and the drums explode. Sliding notes levitate and the melody climbs with intensity and a sense of loss before the track ends.

“Dream Sequence” begins as spectral chimes glitter nervously. The minor key chimes are now joined by electric bass that slides and drums that pulsate. The chimes are unsettling and ripple with a sense of barely hidden danger. In the distance, slowly slipping chords add a sense of more lurking threat. Broadly wafting notes move as the gigantic drums pound, and the chiming sounds flicker like spirit lights.

The drums hiss and slide as the howling, rising synth cries out with a sense of floating menace. As the minor key notes wriggle and spin, spooky feelings permeate the music. The bass is dense and rich as the drums throb and a wildly cascading synth generates a feeling of urgent, reaching evil. The tumbling notes are again joined by the hard-hitting hi-hat and drum kit while the gnarled synth cries with fear and discomfort.

Piano wanders with unhallowed energy, and now the glowing, tumbling synth washes past. I am drawn to the nightmarish sensation hat permeates this track as it comes to an end with atonal piano, intimidating bass, and tension falling from all of the musical elements.

Portentous bass rises and flows to open “Wolf's Curse.” As the bass flows into open space, it fulminates heavily. Oppression fills the low end as ethereally drifting notes float with diaphanous grace. Cymbals sweep and the drums erupt with muscled force as the softly illuminating synthesizer spills through the music with a dreaming melody.

The drums are a dynamic pulse as chimes ring gently with a hint of fear. In the distance, a relaxed synthesizer glides with peaceful calm as the chimes add a hint of something less comfortable. The drums are a strong component as they lock the music into a pulse. Chiming notes sparkle while the gargantuan bass rumbles and a vibrating, lush synthesizer leaps up with majesty and pain, touching me with emotion.

The drums form a wild cascade while the victorious-sounding synthesizer exudes a muted glow. The bass undulates with slicing edges while a worshipful synthesizer levitates. A brightly metallic synthesizer spins in a steadily repeating arpeggio before the pipe organ calls out with triumphant power, and the diamond synthesizer shines above it while the drums flourish and crash. A madly contorting synthesizer shivers as the drums continue to batter. The music charges into a crescendo, full of energy, before the track ends.

Conclusion

Night of the Invasion of the Nazi Marsupial Werewolves from Outer Space is a romp through classic horror movie tropes, brought to life by the skillful contributions of both artists. The end result is stonking great fun and something that will be on my Halloween playlists in the future.

AEONIAN SORROW - From The Shadows

Written By Chris Magdalenski

The Sorrow, Endless and Black: A review of “From The Shadows” by Aeonian Sorrow

Haunted vocals wrapped within echos of a spectral choir open the proceedings. The song titled “Harbinger of Ruin” is true to its name — eight minutes and forty-five seconds of epic brutality mixed with interludes of dark ethereal beauty. Contributing to the former are Joel Notkonen’s razor-wire growls, their subhuman rage providing a stark contrast to the despondent beauty of Gogo Melone’s pleading siren calls. 

The music is deep and all encompassing. Each piece on the four song EP draws you into a world of chilling emotional darkness which the band says was “inspired from cold nights in the forest, isolation, despair and the haunting memories that linger in the the shadows of our minds”. It’s an apt description of the musicianship on display. 

Without a doubt Aeonian Sorrow are very effective at crafting a story with their music. To me, the leaden guitar riffs rise up from the depths of the earth forming massive grey granite walls. Slick with an icy damp, they entomb the listener within their realms of sonic despair, relentless in delivering their message… 

We all have undertaken a journey though darkness. We all hope beyond hope to come out the other side. 

For more Aeonian Sorrow, visit: https://aeoniansorrow.bandcamp.com/

Mike Templar - The Owl & The Moon

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Mike Templar’s The Owl & The Moon is an artfully created, beautifully musical album that explores the full range and depth of synths—both sonically and emotionally. The artist uses his skillful ear to choose the right sounds and combines them with superb melodies and emotionally intense moods throughout the album. The result is a layered and dense listening experience, full of fascinating ear candy and moments of emotional strength.

Perhaps more important than any other element on The Owl & The Moon is the emotional and atmospheric quality of the music. Mike Templar skillfully weaves the full range of human feeling—from loss and pain to joyous celebration—into his music. Each track has a unique character and creates a different sensation and mood, drawing me in and filling me with powerful impressions.

The way Mike Templar employs synths on The Owl & The Moon is fresh and engaging. He has the ability to paint with sound, evoking a wide range of emotional and mental states while crafting uniquely textured music. Each track is carefully constructed and intensely expressive as it unfolds and the artist uses his talents to reach deep into the listener’s heart. I also enjoy the fascinating tonal contrasts that appear throughout the album.

As someone who deeply appreciates well-written melodies, I have to say that The Owl & The Moon features some of Mike Templar’s best work. His ability to create melodic content that pulls me in with its depth of expression and evocative touches is second to none and contributes mightily to the enjoyment of the journey this album offers.

I also want to point out that I enjoy the mood and theme of the album artwork, but it would be amazing to see a talented member of the artistic #synthfam contribute some original work!

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

“Soundcheck” begins with sharply cutting, full synth notes crying out above a rich bass well. slowly rising, gleaming synth cries out above the dense low end and fades.

Pure calm emanates from a richly swirling synth that swells in volume to kick off “Arcadia”. A trip hop beat pops through the music as deeply undulating bass throbs lusciously, touched by shadow. A woodwind-like synth drifts restfully, slipping through the music.

A glimmering synth spins out with a light touch while the bass continues to glide. As the radiant synth taps with an open voice, smoothly intertwining notes plane out and the trip hop beat adds motion. Brightness leaps as trickling notes flicker with sliding gentleness. I enjoy the steady low end heartbeat and the intermingling, shining notes that dance together.

Airy synth slowly fades out with the softly muffled sounds as an ethereal melodic pattern wanders. The drums and bass continue to pulsate and swell back into full power, the giant bass driving on as metallic notes chime and a hi hat ticks before the track ends on the calming melody.

“Crimson Skies” starts with deeply relaxing notes flowing below intensely flashing synth. Gruff bass moves with a quickly leaping drumbeat to generate energetic motion as the flaring synth shines with inspiring luminosity. The melody carried by the main synth is full of celebration, while the richly bouncing low end adds guidance and chimes trickle with shimmering joy.

As the trumpeting melody flies, I feel uplifted and hopeful while the low end pulses on. A broadly dancing synth calls out with dynamic positivity before the track again moves with radiant chords and shiny bells that skip past. The drums flourish as finger snaps move and the lead melody exudes sunlight and happiness as the low end pushes on. The chiming notes are full of starry light while the nasal-sounding, twirling synth sings with a feeling of progress.

The unrelentingly throbbing beat shapes the music as the cascading chimes shine and rich-sounding notes fly outward. I enjoy the thrilling life within the music as it unfolds. Finger snaps add shape as the vocal sounds shift in chopped-up pieces. A synth spills brilliance as it climbs upward. The chimes flicker once and the track goes silent before the massive bass punches and the chiming notes leap again. The beat kicks in, pushing on as the bass dances. Uniquely bending sounds and strings intertwine with liveliness before the song comes to an end.

Bells ring out with haunting serenity as “Solar Genesis” begins. Solid drums punch as the bells move in intertwining lines and the bass begins to pulse with heavy motion. The dense throbbing is cut by hissing drums as tremulous, illuminating synth vibrates. Now the funky guitar adds a groovy element to the track, which flows forth with encouragement and celebratory liveliness.

The powerful low end has a distinctive heartbeat as swelling sounds in the background spill out to surround me, filling me with relaxing sensations. Trembling notes in the distance float as worshipful sounds descend and the drums burst. The chimes are beaming as a guitar slips between them with a gruff sound. Bending notes wander and the rough-edged guitar cries out as it forcefully fills the music.

Gliding, elevated synth caresses the music as the low end continues to pulsate. The way in which the music moves forward combines elegance and strength before the music ends.

Worshipful notes swell and glisten to commence “The Owl.” There is a choir-like quality to the notes before a portentously pulsing bass growls with unambiguous threat. The full-sounding synth carries a melody that is gossamer and ghostly as the steady drum pulse continues.

Brightness flashes from the tightly wound synth as chimes glimmer and the heavily pulsating low end shifts. The metallic, chiming notes tremble and broader bells ring as flickering notes intermingle. I enjoy the hypnotic and powerful quality that the music exudes.

String-like notes swell and the reverent vocal synth is cut by the intensely glowing melody that drifts with a more positive sensation. Well-flowing notes wash above the gigantic bass. Silence falls briefly as the warmly enfolding voices call out and the swirling notes glide hazily. Wind rushes and the scintillating chimes tremble with lively dynamism before the track ends.

“The Moon” opens as a steady, metallic tone floats and glimmering notes descend with clean light. The steady droning note fades as the colossal bass is joined by hard-punching drums and dense low end.

The main melody is gently touching and full of peaceful emotion, while a glockenspiel adds sparkling accents. The drums and bass are a steady heartbeat as the silken synth floats and the glockenspiel echoes. Quickly bending notes are joined by almost wolf-like howls before the music box trips with a haunting feeling.

The drums and bass reverberate while hissing sounds in the distance add a vaguely ominous quality. A wide-sounding, brassy synth carries a luscious melody with a hint of melancholy as the drum pulse continues. A slipping synth wraps around me with tenderness and transports me, evoking moonlight with silvery elegance.

Now the thickly expanding low end continues to pulse as the quickly leaping synth cuts past. Once again, the music box adds a vaguely unsettling quality while the flashing notes cascade. The string-like notes intertwine and gleam before the song closes.

Fragile notes trickle gently as they are joined by a computerized echo to begin “Halo.” Intimidating bass rises as the open, digitized synth wriggles in drifting motion while broadly growling notes sweep past. The melodic pattern has a broken quality that fascinates me, as delicate notes wander. The snare and kick drum become a steady heartbeat as the ringing notes tremble with tender light and a minor-key, roaming melody passes in a lithe line.

The computerized notes drift spectrally as sharply twisting noises move alongside the bursting low end. A tripping synth adds an unsettling quality while the drums pulsate. A steadily shaping, repeating synth pattern wriggles as the low end adds form. The main melody carries an enigmatic energy that I find compelling, while fluting notes twirl past. The roaming melody flows and silence falls before the drums reverberate again and the track ends.

“Ad Astra” starts with a tremulously caressing synth joined by smoothly guiding drums as descending notes emerge with rich, immersive sound. The drums and bass create smooth, forward-moving force beneath the elegantly unfolding synth melody. Chimes add a galactic sparkle behind the affectionate melody that calls out above the dense bass and lightly touching percussion. Rounded notes sail by in the distance while the main melody dances.

I’m affected by the emotionally fragile melodic pattern as it slides past on a nasally elevated synth, putting me at ease. Clapping percussion joins the steadily moving warmth of the synth and echoes carry through the atmosphere. The chimes are full of starlit serenity as the drums tremble and the bass glides. A rich fullness permeates the music as a shimmering synth flickers while the deep notes continue to pulse. The track ends with a peaceful flow as it fades into silence.

Conclusion

The Owl & The Moon is full of feeling and expression, delving deep into humanity with instrumental beauty and skill. The end result is a journey through a rich tapestry of emotional and mental states as the music unfolds.