Bernd Kistenmacher Thoughts

Bernd's latest album, recorded during August and September 1996. Ever since hearing Kistenmacher's colossal 'Wake Up in the Sun' he's been an artist I've always approached with anticipation, and 'Thoughts' does nothing to diminish that opinion. Kistenmacher is a class act, and can produce traditional sequenced stompers with the best of them. He can also plot a tangential course with equal success, and on 'Thoughts' it's largely this angle he explores. The provocatively titled 'Forget the Past' is an expansive mixture of trumpet timbres backed by a deep bass throb and busy percussion. The strange rhythm never quite flows, but that's exactly as intended and it creates a piece which constantly keeps you guessing. 'Where is Your Friend (When You Need him Most)' opens with another bass throb and is soon joined by piano syncopations which form a fast moving sequence. The patterns move around in sympathy with synth pads as more percussion builds. The melody is busy but not very obvious, its role very much a supporting one to the massed rhythmic pulsations. 'Nachtflug II' weighs in at a hefty 16 minutes, and opens with synth washes against an atmospheric shore. Enter deep drones and the piece starts to gather itself as a purposeful sequence builds, tweaked by filter and tuning adjustments. It fades and reappears a few times, wrapped around deep pulsations which impart latent energy as if something must give. However, Bernd chooses to keep it all locked down and it develops into a methodical atmospheric drifter. 'Vivid' is the longest piece, at a touch under 25 minutes. Opening with strange effects it soon starts to fire off heavily echoed sequence packets. It's a great opening and it develops further as an ambient bass beat heralds some blistering sequencing. This is Kistenmacher in full flow, made even better by the constant mutation of the different elements creating a constantly evolving mixture of sound. All fans of Bernd's trademark wall of relentless sequencing will find this an essential listen. After only 10 minutes the senses begin to dull, such is the power of the barrage. But be warned, the end is not nigh. Some form of marathon training may be advisable for this track in order to go the full distance. Bernd only releases the pressure after a full 20 minute avalanche, and the way he closes proceedings down is sheer genius - almost worth the price of the CD to hear these closing 4 minutes. 'For My Son' opens with forceful piano playing then breaks into an unusual cantering sequence which than shifts into an ambient stomp with the introduction of an offset bass beat. A high pattern is then overlaid together with other sequential detail to produce yet another wall of pulsating sound which swamps the piano led theme. The album ends with 'Where is Your Friend (The Slomo Mix)' which in fairness is not a massive departure from the original, but the extra rhythmic edge certainly makes it another enjoyable excursion. Kistenmacher runs true to form on this CD. It's rarely wide of the mark and often a stirring example of power synthesis and sequencing. With more than enough references to both traditional and modern EM, it should please a wide audience. In fact the only thing it perhaps won't please is the hi-fi, which may be left cowering in a corner begging for mercy. Be warned! (GG)

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