The Omega Syndicate Escape Velocity Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Linear')

Of all the sequencer based Berlin School inspired bands The Omega Syndicate probably are the least compromising or subtle. They do it with so much joy and enthusiasm however, not really caring that some will find it OTT and this enthusiasm shines through- always leaving a huge smile on my face. Deep reverberating analogue sounds get the opener 'Linear' off to a rather menacing beginning. A bass sequence, full of venom, then breaks through like a tank thundering through a flowerbed. Mellotron is added, its softness contrasting the sequence beautifully. The sequences are left to pound through your body for the first seven minutes before lead lines are added, which when they come almost snarl from the speakers. It's as if demons are flying above, revelling in the mayhem below. 'Astral Projection' begins with what sounds like the hum of a spacecraft engine accompanied by all sorts of cosmic twitters and sci fi type effects. The sequence emerges after a couple of minutes and it is a melodic optimistic one.

More sequences are gradually placed in formation with the first, lead lines coming and going, becoming especially effective as we near the end. 'Xen' has a similar opening to the last track but then we get a mournful lead line soon followed by a rapid, even urgent, sequence. Another more bass laden one is also deployed, as is a steady rhythm. The lead lines now speak more of mystery as if we are questing at lightning speed into the vast unknown. The sequences mutate and fresh leads are brought into play, keeping the attention locked in as our adventure continues. In the eleventh minute (about the half way mark) things are stripped down to mainly the main sequence through which various cosmic effects emerge before the track slowly starts to rebuild.