Nemesis Gigaherz (Download CDR) 13 tracks / 66.03 mins Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Gigaherz & Terra Firma')

We kick off with the title track and a real tour de force it is too. An insistent rhythm really lets rip as a contrasting bright melody bounces over the top. All is underpinned by a stunning bass line that makes the ground rumble. The melodies keep changing taking the track, from joy to introspective moodiness. We flow straight through to ‘Caryon’. Again there is a nice bass throb over bright sequence and lovely delicate electric guitar licks. I found it best just to close my eyes and let the music take me where it will. There is an excellent dreamy atmospheric section featuring tinkling melodic sequence. The intensity gradually starts to increase before abating on the run up to the dark malevolent ‘Vertical Horizon’. Things become increasingly syncopated, rhythms mixing with sequence to build up quite a head of steam. ‘Nautilus’ is another rhythmic number starting with a deep, faintly tribal beats to which are added all manner of melodic loops and shimmering sounds creating quite a mesmerizing, slightly psychedelic, brew.

Next up is the mammoth ten-part ‘Evolution Suite’. The first part ‘Cryogenic’ mixes the sound of running water with gentle ethereal pads. A stuttering loping rhythm brings up images of a creature slowly pulling itself out of a clinging primordial soup. ‘The First Sea’ takes us down to the depths mixing sounds of strange creatures with various effects and bass rumbles. The atmosphere is peaceful but at the same time rather uneasy. Watery effects return for the short but equally atmospheric ‘Origin of Species’. The overall feel is still rather dark. Light seems to stream through once more for ‘Terra Firma’. Slow rhythms give a feeling of movement. A rapid sequence adds a certain urgency whilst a wonderfully squelchy lead line again brings up thoughts of strange alien creatures. We get into an infectious groove, my feet moving to the beats. ‘Koobi Fora’ initially sounds similar to ‘Origin of Species’ before a slow rhythm enters giving the track a rather sedate identity of its own. It finishes with jangling chains which take us into the spooky ‘Meander’ then ‘Out of the Cradle’, both having a similar feel. It’s as if ghosts, full of malevolent intent, are hovering in the air.

Metallic clangs and sawing effects add to the feeling. Indeed this atmosphere even continues through into the beginning of ‘The Final Frontier’. A pulsing melodic bass loop then drums seem to give us the energy needed to combat the darkness. ‘Coldfront’ is another short brooding piece which acts like a bridge to the rather peaceful but gently breezy ‘Last Footprints’.