Circumpolar – Until The End Of Time (EP – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: IDM, industrial, electronic, ambient, experimental.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Circumpolar is the Swedish duo Jonas Mattson – Patrik Wallin.They last year self-released their debut-EP “Until The End Of Time” and next got signed on Alfa Matrix, which re-released this work.
Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the sound of Circumpolar. Their composition rapidly appears to be a juxtaposition between related electronic music styles. The opening song reminds me a bit of the complexity of Mentallo & The Fixer; a sophisticated composition driven by deep, resonating bass lines and dark sequences. The track progressively builds up. “The Rain Will Burn” in a way symbolizes the rest of the EP. I also discovered a more explicit ambient creation, which has something atypical and therefor experimental. The vocals have something spooky and inhibited, which fits the music.
+ + + : Circumpolar brings a complex, and intelligent electronic format. The sound stands for a fusion between IDM, industrial and electro-ambient music so in the end it’s somewhat experimental and maybe a little visionary-like. I enjoy the dark sphere hanging over the songs while the ghost-like vocals reinforce this darkness. This is great music to listen to.
– – – : “Until The End Of Time” is not exactly the most accessible genre of electronics; it’s not made to set dancefloors on fire, but is a type of music that is part of a wider artistic performance including visuals.
Conclusion: Circumpolar definitely enlarges the sonic horizon of Alfa Matrix; the music appears to be a truly challenge, which will appeal to lovers of intelligent electronics.
Best songs: “The Rain Will Burn”, “I Can See The Dawn (The End Of The World)”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Circumpolar1
Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Until The End Of Time’.
About Circumpolar
Circumpolar is the Swedish duo of Jonas Mattsson and Patrik Wallin, who started making music together as teenagers before reconnecting to record as Circumpolar. In a Click Interview with Side-Line, the duo described Circumpolar as a new dark-electro/wave act built around old friendships and a shared return to electronic music. “Until The End Of Time” was their self-released debut EP before Alfa Matrix signed the act and reissued the work alongside the new EP “We Will Remain”.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
