Ancient Technology Cult (Lucifaere) Sacred Engines Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'A Garden in Eden')

So why has Jim Kirkwood changed his name from Lucifaere to Ancient Technology Cult? Well, I'll be buggered if I know! It all just sounds like a natural progression for the Lucifaere sound to me. If you like his more recent Lucifaere releases you should also like this.

The first track 'Ananage' begins in rather symphonic mode with massed stabbing strings but within a few seconds a very fast no nonsense sequence starts up. Another machine gun type one joins it in the background and a lead line flashes over the top. This is high energy music which means business. The leads get meaner and meaner as percussion and deep rhythms are added. This is a fantastic start to yet another great CD from Jim.

'A Place of Serpents' gets underway with the chains and atmospheric metallic sounds as if someone is preparing some ancient vehicle after years of disuse. Angelic pads can just be heard underneath contrasting well with the atmospherics. We then get some hi tech sounding bleeps and a futuristic sequence joins them. Another melodic sequence falls into pattern with it then another. A flute lead adds to the melodic qualities still further and we enter into a hypnotic groove. With five minutes to go the track strips down and we hear more sounds of someone trying to breath life into some pile of rusted metal though the main sequence and flute keeps going. Other subtle effect are also added then another absolutely stonking sequence is brought in sounding like the emissions of some hi-tec machinery before we float to the end on tranquil pads.

'The Shining Ones' also starts peacefully. The sound of the occasional night bird can be heard. A slow, but again futuristic sounding sequence comes into being, a second rhythmic one gives it some umph then Jim deploys one of his very best melodies. A wonderful rhythm is added providing the final perfect ingredient which elevates the track from being just good to one of his very best. A slow echoing, gently undulating sequence gets 'A Garden in Eden' underway. The feeling of peacefulness is greatly emphasised by a lovely lush meandering lead line. The next sequence to come in is a sawing hi register one and is something of a Kirkwood trademark taking us to the end of this beautiful tender piece.