CYCLOTIMIA - Eschaton, CD
[AVANT009] The unmistakably unique talent of forging emotional impact is the trademark of CYCLOTIMIA. Always operating on the edge between neoclassical arrangements and stripped methodical automation, Eschaton again challenges the approach of sculpturing music into vital images and reveals more contemporary strength than ever before.
The impressive bandwidth of techniques presented here is stunning. Almost groove oriented (Market Report), sometimes beat-driven and danceable rhythm patterns (Meltdown) meet complex pieces of radical sampling and the concrete use of electronics (Norns II). The apocalyptic tenor of previous works now gives room to more subliminal nuances. A massive album that finds its musical climax in the crushingly epic Gloria. With the fast moving and thought provoking video Same Place, the CD contains an impression of the group?s audio-visual works for the first time.
LEAK - Redemption, CD
[AVANT010] Redemption - rarely ever before has a title distinctively summed up the essence of an album. Nothing short of mammoth, LEAK inflicts a breathtaking sonic challenge upon the listener that is as much beautiful as it is shattering. Virtually every song is a dogged mass that expands into an undefined entity to absorb every sonance. When progress casts yet another cloak, the trophy of enormous reward is at hand.
Essentially embodied in the electro-acoustic genre, Redemption?s range of delicacy heightens into the finest moments of cinematic, modern classical, as well as dark ambient composition. Again recorded at the famous EMS Studio in Stockholm, the album exceeds all expectations set into this anticipated follow up since the 2001 debut The Old Teahouse (Cold Meat Industry).
NICK GREY & THE RANDOM ORCHESTRA - Regal Daylight, CD
[AVANT011] How to classify an album that is far beyond classification? NICK GREY & THE RANDOM ORCHESTRA reveal musical mysteries, and we don?t quite understand how they do it. Regal Daylight is more than just a crossbreed of influences gathered from all thinkable genres - it takes the best of them and molds it into something entirely fresh and modern. Intimate suite or avant-garde opera? Imagine the times when David Bowie was still up for surprises, when music meant challenge instead of shallow entertainment. Add a dash of Omar Sharif-style charm that made your mothers swoon and mix it into a classical rock theatre of its own. Et voilà!
When Regal Daylight was released as limited edition CD by Nick?s own Sensitive Records in June 2004, it received an outrage of praise and was sold out almost in record time for a debut album. It honors Stateart to adopt and repress this diamond and keep it available for all those who have not yet discovered its beauty. It is also a bridge to The Candlelight Eyes EP, to be released in late 2005.
· Teasing encounters, both stirring and testing. A shame the music papers are dead in this country, because they?d have been all over Nick - Mick Mercer
· Regal Daylight comes cloaked in legends of Romanian and Armenian roots ... The whole affair has the savour of an eccentric and highly literate fantasy - The Wire
· One of the most excitingly bizarre concepts to come along in awhile - Legends Magazine
· Nick Grey and his orchestra have achieved an entirely new sound not heard before in rock, avant-garde electronics or neoclassical music. It is quite a stunning debut and I am quite honestly gripped with anticipation of the full-length release. The songs are intelligent, emotional and compositionally fresh and original - Heathen Harvest
· Beau, sombre et inclassable - D-Side
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