Various Artists Truth or Dare

What a brilliant CD! This is the third in Cue Record's series of CDs inspired by the X files. Every track is previously unreleased. The first piece is provided by Ron Boots and John Dyson, it is fast-paced with loads of rhythm and some superb lead lines around a repetitive motif. Next up we have 'Crossing the Road (Running Frog)' by Kees & AirSculpture and what an amazing track it is too. At almost ten minutes it is the longest track on the CD which gives it plenty of time to develop. We start with a lovely atmospheric scene that makes me think of mist drifting over a North Yorkshire moorland. When it arrives the sequence is pure pulsating AirSculpture. Another sequence joins the fray and they mutate around each other. Lead lines similar to the 'Impossible Geometries' period soar over the top and the main sequence picks up pace before things quieten down again bringing the track to a close. 'The Borders of Believe' by Robert Marseljie and Jean Paul van Engelen initially makes use of a slow bright sequence which is joined by an ambient rhythm and later base rumblings give the piece depth. Strange vocal samples can be heard from time to time and add to the X files theme for the project. 'The secret of the Tribe' by Syndromeda and Harald van der Heijden is a very varied piece starting with ominous drums slowly beating out time, we then enter a desolate world with electronic shimmerings and vast mountains. Things then quicken as a superb rhythm starts up and a melody many will recognise drifts in and out of the mix. The drumming becomes more complex and another, searing, lead lines scorches over the top. Press repeat. A computerised voice introduces '(Limits of) Investigation' by Johannes Munz and Rene de Vrena. We are taken on a journey through some secret installation, sampled voices telling the story as rhythms constantly change and lead lines and melodies float in and out of the mix. It is really amazing how tracks by so many artists fit together into this one project as if they were created by a single person. The next number 'Surfacing from Beyond'' by James J. Clent & Kees moves us from a down beat introduction into a pulsating middle section, almost like journeying under ground then suddenly opening a door and emerging into bright sunlight. The guitar enters and it is almost as if we have come to the brink of a valley looking down onto a futuristic city. 'Alienation' is the contribution from Ron Boots, Harold van der Heijden', Mario Schonwalder and Detlef Keller. Futuristic electronic sounds are augmented by a gentle string backing but down deep in the mix broods a bass rumble. At around the half way mark things really take off with a deep sequence and drums over the top. The excitement is held by throwing additional elements into the mixture and what is probably a sampled electric guitar crying through the mix. It all fades away too soon. Next we have '23.59' by Ian Boddy and Norman Fay (from Vietgrove). A relaxing melody is cut through by laser noises and we get a blistering, wild, rhythmic, rock styled track that could really have come from one of the more manic moments of an Ash Ra Tempel of Cosmic Jokers album. I don't believe that this guitar work could be sampled it is just too mean and animal like in the way it snarls. The drums also sound pretty damned realistic to me.The sound of a plane diving towards the earth finishes the track off superbly. The final track 'The Silence of the Scream' by Ron Boots and Kees is a rather quirky piece with spoken vocals. This is my least favourite track from the album but there is more than enough on the first eight to satisfy most. This CD is a must! (DL)

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