iVardensphere – Ragemaker (Album – Metropolis Records)
Genre/Influences: Cinematic, Industrial, Tribal.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Scott Fox and his sonic brainchild iVardensphere are back on track, unleashing the Canadian project’s first new studio album in five years. “Ragemaker” features thirteen songs.
Content: iVardensphere has accomplished its most Cinematic work to date. This work is driven by overwhelming drum layers -mainly performed by different kinds of authentic drums, and solid, orchestral arrangements. It’s a bombastic and powerful production. The album also features guest vocals by Jesse Thom, Brittany Bindrim (I:Scintilla), The Rain Within, Seeming and Brien Hindman. Except the song by Brien Hindman, all other vocals have been produced as chants and a kind of vocal effect.
+ + + : I already heard great works by iVardensphere, but this album is going far beyond my expectations. The production left me breathless. I can’t remember ever hearing a project active in this scene with such an overwhelming, bombastic and powerful drum production. It has a transcendental effect, which together with the Epic electronic arrangements creates the perfect Soundtrack for an imaginary sci/fi or fantasy movie. The clip they made for “The Shattering Queen” (previously released as a single) is showing this ritual/fantasy like approach. The clip is a true masterpiece by the way. Every single detail of this album is touched by perfectionism. It’s a powerful Soundtrack, mixing rhythmic and orchestral electronic arrangements. The addition of the vocals adds a heavenly and also mysterious touch. Brittany Bindrim did an amazing job, but there’s definitely something to say about each singer. “The Shattering Queen” remains a brilliant song, but I even prefer the title track for its phenomenal and elevating bombast. Scott Fox and his gang have accomplished a unique piece of music; an album deserving to be used as Soundtrack for a great movie like “The Matrix”.
– – – : The opening- and last song aren’t essential pieces, but let’s consider them as an ‘intro’ and ‘outro’. No reason to complain.
Conclusion: iVardensphere has accomplished a masterpiece. This album might serve as a reference for other musicians. Respect!
Best songs: “Ragemaker”, “The Shattering Queen”, “Varunastra”, “The Age Of Angels Is Over”, “The Maw”, “Draconian”.
Rate: 9.
Listen to “Ragemaker”:
Artist: www.facebook.com/ivardensphere
Label: www.metropolis-records.com / www.facebook.com/MetropolisRecords Read the news on ‘Ragemaker’.
About iVardensphere
iVardensphere is the Canadian project of Scott Fox, mixing tribal percussion with industrial and cinematic electronics. Discogs lists the debut “Scatterface” in 2009, followed by “Bloodwater” in 2010, “APOK” in 2011 and “The Methuselah Tree” in 2013.
Metropolis Records issued the “Dark Sciences” singles “Stygian” and “Tribes Of Moth” in 2015, the album “Fable” the same year, and “Exile” in 2017. “Ragemaker” arrived five years later, preceded by the single and video for “The Shattering Queen”.
Side-Line published a ‘Click Interview’ with iVardensphere in April 2022, in which Scott Fox discussed the making of the album.
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