Expo – Interconnection (Digital/Vinyl Album – Prodam Records)
Over the past 40 years, Eric van Wonterghem has been involved in numerous legendary projects, including The Klinik, Absolute Body Control, Insekt, Monolith, and Sonar, to name only the most prominent. Late last year, he surprised listeners with an entirely new project and musical direction. Expo’s “Interconnection” contains eight tracks in which Eric van Wonterghem remains faithful to Electronic music while exploring a completely different sonic landscape.
“Interconnection” is deeply Ambient and at times even Drone-like. The dark soundscapes create a mysterious universe, occasionally taking on an almost menacing quality. Those familiar with his work may detect traces of The Klinik’s atmosphere here and there, but overall, this album sounds entirely different. It feels like a requiem for an imaginary lost world, one gradually consumed by an overwhelming sense of nihilism. Van Wonterghem once again demonstrates his mastery of vintage sounds and effects, subtly supported by slow-moving rhythms that further enhance the album’s appeal. Atmosphere remains his primary driving force, and the images and emotions evoked by these compositions are remarkably powerful. Throughout the album, spoken-word samples are woven into the music, adding another layer of mystery.
Expo sounds distinctive and highly personal, as if various influences have been fused into a cohesive whole. This visionary blend of electro and ambient music completely captivated me, and I sincerely hope a follow-up release will emerge in the future. What I find particularly impressive is that, after all these years, this Belgian artist still dares to venture into entirely new territory—and succeeds with flying colors. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Tension”:
About Expo
Expo is a solo project of Belgian electronic musician Eric van Wonterghem. Van Wonterghem started out on synthesizer in 1981 with Absolute Body Control, the Dirk Ivens project he joined after its debut 7″ “Is There An Exit?”. In 1984 Van Wonterghem, Ivens, and Marc Verhaeghen formed The Klinik, which became one of the reference acts of the Belgian EBM scene; Van Wonterghem left the group in 1987. He then formed Insekt with vocalist and drummer Mario Vaerewijck, releasing several albums and singles on KK Records into the mid-1990s. In the mid-1990s he launched Monolith as a solo project moving into rhythmic noise and industrial territory, issuing the full-length “Compressed Form” in 1997. In 1998 he joined Sonar, the project Dirk Ivens had started in 1996 with Patrick Stevens, replacing Stevens as Ivens’ collaborator.
Expo is presented as a new solo direction for Van Wonterghem, moving away from his Electronic Body Music and industrial background into Ambient and Drone-based composition built around a Digitakt, a Korg MS-20, and effects pedals. The project’s debut album, “Interconnection”, was released via Prodam Records, the Antwerp, Belgium label Van Wonterghem also works with as an engineer, as a digital release and as a limited, numbered clear vinyl LP.
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