Warm synth tones, vaguely like organ music, hang in the air for several minutes, creating the atmosphere. Just before the 6:30 mark the sequencing starts up and male choirs ring out over the top, signaling the arrival of another solid entrant in the Berlin school class. Just before 8:00 a cool filter effect morphs the sequence a bit, as a spacey wind blows through. Next up are the vintage synth leads, lending a dramatic flair. This section does a solid impersonation of Tangerine Dream around the Tangram period. The sequencing continues on the attack, growling assertively as the intensity continues to build just so. Drums are added toward the end, modulated not unlike TD’s “Through Metamorphic Rocks.” It’s an epic piece on a grand scale to start the album most promisingly.
“North of Circle” starts low and distant, as if tentatively exploring its way onto the sonic terrain. Choirs return, and sequencing returns in short order, propelling things briskly along. If you like other Teutonic artists like Navigator, Kubusschnitt, Gert Emmens and so forth, this should be well to your liking. “Zenith” concludes the hour-long synthfest with more of the same, deep space wanderings to begin, followed by slowly wavering electronics, and the obligatory sequencing, fastest of all here as it spins nearly out of control.
