- Ant Zen Act CD 217
- "NOW" (techno industrial)
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Industrial
6
with their sixth full length album synapscape (t.kniep and p.münch) continue and evolve what they started twelve years ago: powerful and versatile explorations in sound, rhythm and ambience. this release is unmistakably synapscape - distorted polyrhythmic beats meet atonal synth tones, kniep's strange lyrics (coupled with his haunting alienated voice that is offset with various effects), and constant rhythmic changes (while the metric speed is kept). however, there is a readiness for experiments - thus they avoid turning a trademark into a corset. synapscape's open mindedness to the electronic art combined with their ability to integrate characteristics of breakbeat, electronica and experimental music results (as usual) in a fascinating, unique sonic exploration. the possibilities are infinite as their producing was, is, and will be. this is where they are now - another landmark in contemporary industrial music.
- Ant Zen Act 167 CD
- "Act!" (downtempo)
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Breakcore
10
t.kniep and p.münch have finally finished their first full length album since 2001 and compared to other ant-zen releases this is not simply an 'act' - it is an act! on this cd, synapscape's astonishing rhythm skills are perfectly displayed. keeping the beat straight but always changing the patterns throughout a track. when a track starts you might think you know how it will proceed, but while listening you will end up being surprised. there is a permanent change - without any real interference. the album could also be described as an 'attack on expectations' - sequencers and electronic percussion replace the expected bass drum; in a heavily distorted 4/4 track a techno-like 5th-chord is embedded; crystal clear drum strokes replace distorted beats; - those 'attacks' are the sparks of the burning flow. the variety of sound is evident in the ambient tracks like 'kollberg' and 'sellout', the hard 4/4-beat-ers like 'the hoe' and 'katunga' (which lean heavily toward the distorted dance floor) and the live-killer-tracks ('wings' and 'alice') which may be well-known to synapscape addicts. but act!'s general mood is what makes this cd a real album and not just a compilation of new tracks. this album is nothing less than an improvement and a logical progression of synapscape's conceptual work. the act! is done.
