Ron Berry The Reaper Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'A Fist Full of Nand Gates')

Yet another new name for me, Ron Berry is a true electronic musician who uses a variety of sound devices (some self-built), from analogue and digital sources. This album, as the sleeve notes suggest is part of a series of reissues to cdr, spanning his 9-album output from 1980 to the present day. With a distinct late 80's Neuronium sound this 4-track album is quite an inspiring piece of work. This album was actually recorded during 1986 and is number 5 is the reissue set of 9. It is quite a varied work and apart form the aforementioned influence it is hard to compare this work with any other EM related artists out there.

The first track 'A Fist Full of Nand Gates' sounds like something out of a western movie and it's overall theme, though not completely obvious, does have this occasional leaning. In fact a prominent 'Neuronium' styled theme kicks things off. Then its all system go as percussive effects and synth chords take hold into a new found level of effectiveness. The 'wild west' theme evaporates at around the 6-minute mark but soon returns under a further bed of obscure chord structures. This piece manages to maintain a positive feel throughout. The next, title track begins with a cosmic drone, before mysterious choral textures carry the piece through washes of bell effects. Light percussion loops are enhanced by effective synth chords and an almost low flute theme is introduced. A sequencer pattern enters and through the barrage of sound emerges a string synth theme. The flute theme is reintroduced until the piece eventually subdues at around 10 minutes. However it's not too long before all hell breaks lose again (no pun intended).

'Spectre of the Ruin' starts much in the same way as per the last track with its similar structured cosmic drone, although somewhat delayed and with a decent array of effects. Light percussion samples move the piece forward but the overall feel is towards that of menacing and mysterious. After a brief moment of subsidence the piece picks up where it left off and continues along its dark path. Finally we have the piece 'Genesis' which incidentally is the longest track on offer here and it begins with the sounds of vocoder. A high synth drone takes hold, adding serenity and additional effects hit the decks after the first 3 minutes. Occasional delayed bass sounds enter but lead nowhere, instead the piece taking on a more dark and cosmic feel. Vocoder effects return at around the 8-minute mark and then it's back into the dark, cosmic zone for one last time. There is perhaps a lot of expectancy in this piece but it doesn't really deliver the goods. I must admit I was expecting more from a grand finale.