Lord of the Ants

Artist: Lord of the Ants
P: 2014
Been listening to it today and yes, it has the same wonderful quirkiness of  ‘Quantum Voodoo’. However, ‘Firebird’ seems to hang together as a much more mature album than the debut – and that was some album IMO! ‘Lord of the Ants’ has recently become one of the labels top download sellers so this new release is certainly going to enhance his growing reputation. It also highlights that AD artists are happy to take risks and produce something challenging and a little different to the norm. Firebird is a really great album that shows adventure, creativity and originality. It is an imaginative blend of rhythmic electronic music and cinematic electronica, with deep house, chill, rock, dance and experimental influences that is superbly produced and grabs and holds your attention from start to finish. From the opening title track, the listener is treated to a series of memorable themes and intriguing soundscapes, either established by foot tapping sequences, infectious rhythms or deep bass and cinematic tones underpinned by searing guitar and melodic lead lines all encompassed in wonderfully original sound effects and atmospherics. When things slow down, as with “Impossible Sky” and "Secrets of the Days", the superb use of unconventional rhythms under deep bass and occasional acoustic guitar and treated voices is mind blowing. Even the use of a sampled Eastern female vocal on “East At Least” is given a new twist with the imaginative backing and unusual rhythms. The debut album 'Quantum Voodoo' was an interesting collection of diverse music, but this time round Christopher has honed his skills and wrapped his great themes up in clever rhythms, sequences and diverse sounds. But above all, by focussing the arrangements it has ensured 'Firebird’ is a mature, interesting and hugely entertaining electronic music album.

Artist: Lord of the Ants
P: 2017
‘Lord of the Ants’ music is an imaginative blend of rhythmic and cinematic electronica with numerous other influences cleverly included. The result is a series of complex and intriguing soundscapes with memorable themes verging on the avant-garde. That style continues here, but it is substantially enhanced and advanced by a much edgier ‘feel’ that helps to generate a darker atmosphere that permeates the music throughout. It’s difficult to reference because it is so original, but, at times it reminds one of the style of Ryuichi Sakamoto or one of those soundtracks you hear and have to find out “who did the music!”. It isn’t a soundtrack per se, but the theme of ‘First King’ is the legend of ‘Brutus of Troy’, so the fact that the music is thematically linked makes it even more compelling. The production is first rate and there is some truly stunning and captivating music on offer here. Highly recommended!

Artist: Lord of the Ants
P: 2009
Lord of the Ant’s own galvanic, compelling brand of electronica is heavily influenced by electronic music’s eager adopters, which dutifully include Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Brian Eno, Tomita, Vangelis and many other innovators of the early EM scene. Other more contemporary influences include Radiohead, Boards of Canada, Moby, Aphex Twin, Code Indigo, Sigur Ros and Café del Mar.
Lord of the Ant’s debut album, ‘Quantum Voodoo’ is a joining together of a variety of electronic music styles and contemporary rock styles, influences and philosophies. The result is a truly original and spectacular EM tour de force - an eclectic mix of dark ambient tones, dreamy landscapes, driving sequencers and screaming guitars. ‘Quantum Voodoo’ takes you into a new musical realm - a place of magic, of unexplored themes, mysterious rythmns and inspirational new sounds.
Quantum Voodoo’s multifarious musical style and alluring abstract themes are designed to appeal to the ‘thinker’ in all of us – encouraging us to explore our own reality and to reach out into the fringes of our understanding and to ultimately confront our own beliefs and prejudices.

Artist: Lord of the Ants
P: 2021
An imaginative, avant-garde style offering from Lord Of The Ants that combines his trademark cinematic electronica style with classical influences to create music that is both thematic and very atmospheric. The music is complex and intriguing with strong contemporary rhythms, nice deep basses and interesting soundscapes that remain full of form, structure and anticipation without ever venturing into the experimental. This is coupled with beautifully complex arrangements and excellent piano alongside great synth work and searing guitar. Lord Of The Ants continues to produce a multifarious musical style that is quite fascinating, incorporating musical styles ranging from Tangerine Dream and Vangelis to Moby and Boards of Canada. Add to that the alluring abstract themes and it is music to make us think.

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2011
"A Little More Night Music" is the 6th volume in the essential "Best of Series" taken from the AD Music catalogue, building on the success of not only the series to date, but in particular the hugely popular volume 5 "Night Music". Therefore, "A Little More Night Music" follows in a similar 'late night listening' mood, with more beautifully evocative music carefully chosen to reflect mysterious journeys of discovery through emotionally inspired soundscapes, destined to become your own personal soundtrack of the mind. This compilation perfectly illustrates the depth and variety found in the AD Music catalogue, presenting contemporary melodic music that crosses the new age, electronic and space music genres with consummate ease.

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2010
“Night Music” is the 5th volume in the essential “Best of Series” taken from the AD Music catalogue. The music has been carefully chosen to reflect mysterious journeys of discovery, so this compilation features emotionally inspired soundscapes of ambient space music that highlights the diversity the label has to offer. “Night Music” continues the depth and beauty you’ve come to expect from this excellent compilation series and it is sure to become your own personal soundtrack of the mind. Journey to new and uncharted worlds through the tranquil and ethereal soundscapes the artists create.
An astonishing voyage through beautiful and absorbing ambient space music soundscapes – an extraordinarily good collection.

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2010
There are Christmas albums, and then there are Christmas albums. "ChristmasAD - The First Snow" is an outstanding collection of instrumental Christmas music that's appeal is that everyone is going to enjoy it!
A good Christmas album should contain some old classics plus some familiar pop titles to warm you on a cold winter evening as you sit by the fireside. So on this collection there are eight favourites, expertly re-imagined, plus eleven brand new Christmas songs that perfectly reflect the Christmas spirit.
"The Dancing Snowman" by David Wright & Geigertek is delightfully OTT and perfectly starts proceedings, and what follows is pure bliss! Steve Barnes and RamsayGee provide real romantic heart with five beautiful pieces: Steve's being the classic favourites "Little Town of Bethlehem", "Good King Wenceslas" and "God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen" and Gareth's being the sublime self penned "First Snow" and "Season's Wish". Catalin Marin returns with his epic, ethnic influenced "A Star in the East", and new artists Claudio Merlini and The Pels Syndicate contribute a stunning melodic track each with "Christmas Wonderland" and "Xmas5" respectively. Richard Bone provides two glorious covers in "Do You Hear What I Hear" and "Donde Esta Santa Claus?" while Acheloo and Robert Fox provide beautifully moody interpretations of "White Christmas" and "Silent Night". Al Rudd's "The Magic of Christmas?" provides the albums glorious "Tim Burton" influenced moment (think "A Nightmare at Christmas"!) while Lord of the Ants provides an atmospheric acoustic number that perfectly reflects "Christmas In New York". David Wright's rhythmic electronic version of "We Three Kings" and Bekki Williams beautifully orchestrated "Where is Santa?" end the album perfectly. The sound of children's laughter briefly open and close the album, reminding us perhaps that Christmas is about peace and good will reflected in the joy and laughter of innocence.
The collective artists on the label have really excelled here, presenting an emotive and memorable collection of Christmas tunes that delicately, and without exception, successfully walk the line between feel good melodic music and contemporary, creative, classically influenced new age/electronic music.
Beautifully recorded and produced, this is one classy album that is destined to run and run.