Wave World The Winds of Laax Play:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track 'Od Ban Ryaak')

We begin with the over half an hour-long title track. It combines rather cosmic effects with the sound of 'The Winds of Laax'. And these are proper winds- more of a hurricane than a gentle breeze. Soft melodic pads then take over as if calmness is returning- and rather gorgeous they are too. This blissed out state can't last however as gradually proceedings become weirder, percussive twitters sounding like little alien insects. A slow rhythmic loop starts up, morphing as it progresses. A lovely lonesome bitch bending lead line floats above it all and close on its heels a tinkling sequence starts low in the mix. A more urgent rhythm then falls into place becoming the main feature as more leads come and go. We bounce along on a mid paced groove. In the eighteenth minute more syncopation is added and things develop a meaner edge. With five minutes to go we have returned to the soft melodic pads once more.

'Guardians of the Skies' starts with a rather warm feel. A melancholy, maybe even slightly wistful, lead line becomes the main focus along with a bass laden plucked string melody. More acoustic sounding melodies are added to form quite a relaxed tuneful piece. 'Od Ban Ryaak' uses dark cosmic sounds to create quite an eerie atmosphere out of which emerges a lovely tinkling sequence. A lonesome lead line (Almost Spaghetti Western style!) adds to the melancholy and another sequence (a bassey one) comes in giving extra bite. It is a wonderful number, my favourite on the album. It was released as 'Od Ban Ryaah' on the 'Schrittmacher' compilation. 'Desert Moons' is initially a completely spaced out affair full of breathy pads. A deep drone takes over acting as a base for another mournful lead. The pads develop quite a symphonic feel nearer the end and combined with the lead line it had a definite Vangelis styled edge to it.