Volt Through the Rings Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Soaring Beneath the Surface') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

'Journey to the Rim' initially features bright shimmering tones drifting serenely through the air. Little subtle melodies develop, caressing the mind rather than shouting out. At four minutes the first gentle tinkling sequence makes an entrance, moving us on rather than shattering the carefully woven mood. Uplifting lead lines hit the spot perfectly before a more powerful sequence makes its rumbling entrance. Further leads then erupt and suddenly we are in ecstatic Wavestar 'Moonwind' territory. This is Berlin School but sounding more carefully composed / crafted rather than taking the improvised approach. Reading the sleeve notes though this is apparently not the case. Quite amazing! The Wavestar comparisons apply throughout the entire album. We take a bit of a breather in the twelfth minute and drift through a gently tinkling cosmic section over which the sequences begin to muster once more.

'Dark Entrance' begins with suitably deep bass warbles, like the Earth being hit by some demonic hammer causing shockwaves to reverberate in all directions. The first sequence to emerge has a rapid almost warning Morse code character. Pads swell majestically around the pulsations then a second sequence and mournful lead line surge forward. The lead gradually develops something of a wailing vocal quality to it. The sequences morph driving things along at quite a pace, getting my hands and head moving in time to the subtle rhythm. Mellotron enters completing the mood perfectly. The atmos changes just before the end to finish as darkly as we started. A similar ominous feeling gets the title track underway but then changes subtly to ethereal cosmic magnificence as mellotron pads mix with a slow whimsical lead. A sequence fizzes into life taking position high in the mix, melody fairly bouncing over the top racing with the sequence. A repeated tuneful motif splashes between these two elements like a gentle rain. The sequence then activates the turbocharger to blast forward with added energy only for an axe man lead line to take up the challenge and increase the excitement level to explosive proportions. Things start to wind down at around the thirteenth minute but the main sequence never disappears completely. The mellotron makes a reprise and gradually the pulsations become more bass laden and growling, accompanied by more heroic soloing. Wow!

From rather stormy / windy beginnings full of a swirling organic gloop of sounds 'Soaring Beneath the Surface' steadies to reveal a slow loping sequence and moody, faintly melodic, brooding pads. The pace quickens as a second more urgent sequence falls into formation alongside the first. More note runs are added as the track rapidly increases in energy. A wistful lead line contrasts the bubbling / boiling pulsations wonderfully. More lead heroics, which would be ideal in a live setting, provide the perfect excuse for manic air keyboard playing so I took a break from typing to indulge to the full.