Redshift VIII (Toll) Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Glide') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

This is a live album recorded at the E-Live festival in October 2004. The 18 minute 'Stuka' opens and initially presents mammoth, stabbing sequences but soon develops into a wonderful trademark syncopating sequencer run. Frenzied synth lines grapple with the twisting turmoil beneath, the summation creating an edgy feel. It really is worth investing in a decent subwoofer to hear Redshift's music, because in many places there are some complex, almost sub sonic, bass notes squirming around while "up top" there is a more simplistic landscape. Indeed this track seems to be all about light and shade as Mark Shreeve regularly reigns in the beast almost to strangulation point, only to unleash it afresh. My favourite section of this track emerges around the 13 minute mark as a sublime synth motif toys with sequential ephemera, while a gut wrenching bass throb lurks underneath. Tremendous!

'Cast Down' emerges on a wave of wonderful arpeggiations and continues in restrained fashion with an impressive ear for detail exemplified by electric piano moments. Oscillators freshly tuned Mark Shreeve winds up the sequence salvos at the start of 'Glide' and what classic sequences they are. I just love the high register interplay as Mark toys with the skip function and produces a lattice of shifting notes and time signatures which melt together in seamless wonderment. Sensational! The trump card is played with the bass sequence and Redshift produce another personal favourite which will see regular outings. And we're not even at the half way point yet! Next a steady (and sublime) sequential beat appears topped by mellotron flute and wonderful synth pads. At this point I reach one of those moments when I need to stop reviewing in "real time" and just listen! OK, I'm back, and what a track 'Glide' is. Awesome. I say again, AWESOME!

Another opportunity for modular adjustment appears in the form of 'Rock' which has an almost aboriginal feel to it. Amazing sonics and atmospherics which would grace any album. Finally the title track gets underway. Underwater style breathing effects herald an atonal percussive sequence which slowly grows as the filters are opened. A 4 by 4 bass throb emerges and I think it's fair to say that this is Redshift doing their "Node thing" and highly impressive it is too. There's some electric piano work which is reminiscent of ARC's 'Arcturus' concert, perhaps not surprising as they took place so close together. A more melodic sequence emerges at the 7 minute mark but the main theme here is rhythm and edge, not Berlin School syncopations. At 17 mins "the beast" is unleashed again in a "massive attack" of sequencing which must have had the whole hall rocking. EM just doesn't get any more powerful than moments like this. Over 30 seconds of audience applause is featured, I bet it went on for a lot longer too.