Syndromeda Birth of a Black Hole (Download CDR) 6 tracks / 72.31 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Liquid Motions') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

Syndromeda just get better and better with each album. The last offering 'Legacy of God' I thought would take some beating. So has Danny Budts been able to keep up the standard? Most certainly yes! Though this time, as the title suggests, we are in more cosmic realms there are still sequences and dynamism aplenty.

Kicking of with the 24 minute 'Beyond Dimensions' we get straight in to a bass sequence with cosmic splashes over the top. An infectious though suitably sci-fi sounding lead line is then brought in. A restrained rhythmic sequence is added to the brew just before more cosmic effects issue from the speakers. The track drives along beautifully with half heard vocoded alien voices making an appearance from time to time. Another staccato melody comes to the for and the storm gathers force. I find myself reaching for the volume control and really pumping it up again and again until the end. Impressive stuff. 'Liquid Motions' begins with an early Jean Michel Jarre type sequence but with a little Rolf Trostel thrown in for good measure. The underlying pads and melodies are certainly effective but it is the strength of the sequences which impress most.

A squelchy sequence gets 'Millennium Ready' underway. There are more heavily vocoded voices, adding to the overall feeling of unease. At four minutes a heavy bass rhythm makes the floor shake, the whole track now sounding rather apocalyptic. 'The Sky is Open' clocks in at almost 20 minutes. It begins with quiet deep space effects then we get a dark piano melody. At just under five minutes a no nonsense rhythmic sequence blasts the piano melody asunder, building and building in intensity. A laser sharp lead line adds to the excitement still further. At the half way mark a rhythm is added as is a 'tinkling' sequence though another blistering lead soon dismisses it. As soon as the lead disappears however the sequence is back. This track takes no prisoners and is the best on the album. Awesome!