Soma – The Inner Cinema (Digital/Vinyl Album – Ant-Zen)
This album by the Soma duo David Thrussell and Pieter Bourke was originally released in 1996 on Extreme. Twenty-nine years later, it has been remastered and is now available on vinyl for the first time—albeit with only eight tracks—while the complete 11-track version can be (re)discovered digitally.
There is nothing new under the sun, and yet this work sounds as if it were made today. The Australian duo delivered a varied and visionary album, rich in influences. It moves from an Ennio Morricone–styled opening infused with Trip-Hop rhythms to Cinematic pieces, and then on to further experiments incorporating Dub elements and even harpsichord textures. Soma appears to explore endless sonic paths, and the impressive thing is that it all simply works—and sounds delicious. The predominantly Trip-Hop rhythms keep the album lively and seductive.
I had somewhat forgotten about this release, perhaps precisely because of its avant-garde character. (Rating:8½).
Listen to “Risen From Agartha”:
https://ant-zen.bandcamp.com/track/risen-from-agartha
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