Access To Arasaka - Oppidan (CD Spectraliquid/Tympanik)

I discovered Access To Arasaka through several remixes they made for bands like Zentriert Ins Antlitz, Aphorism and Totakeke. This project operating from New York has now launched its official debut on Spectraliquid (Greece) and Tympanik Audio (USA). Both labels definitely belong to the most refreshing and progressive electro-ambient labels from the scene, which only reinforced my curiosity to discover "Oppidan". After a few minutes I was totally convinced and seduced by the electronic atmospheres and rhythmic. Access To Arasaka creates a kind of sterile, icy sound atmospheres full of astral bleeps. The tracks are mainly driven through a kind of laidback rhythm. Some of the compositions also reveal some broken kind of sounds and rhythmic patterns, but it all remains quite accessible. A few songs even remind me of the coldness of Haujobb. The compositions have been reinforced by multiple samplings and other studio effects. Vocals were added on "First Kill" (featuring Beau Jestice) and "Recon" (featuring ESA). The vocals by ESA are quite sensual-like creating a nice contrast with the cold atmosphere of the song. Access to Arasaka will definitely appeal for the lovers of projects like Zentriert Ins Antlitz, Disharmony, and also Haujobb. They're quite refreshing in sound and very talented in their sound research. It all results in a fascinating piece of music featuring 17 tracks and where you never get the impression that it starts to stagnate. They hold your attention through the complexity and diversity running through the tracks. It's hard to give a few favorites, but I'm sure tracks like "Medway", "Run", "Caeropore", "Recon" and "Delicate Annihilation" will please many music lovers of intelligent electronics. This debut cd is a total success and this is for sure a band we have to keep in mind!
(DP:8/9)DP.
Band: www.accesstoarasaka.com / www.myspace.com/accesstoarasaka
Labels: www.spectraliquid.com / www.tympanikaudio.com / www.myspace.com/spectraliquid / www.myspace.com/tympanik