Synapscape – Close To Comfortable Distance (EP – Ant-Zen)
Genre/Influences: Minimal-Electro, Industrial-Wave.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Creativity has no limits for German duo Synapscape. After having released a great new full length (cf. “The Stable Mind”) Philipp Münch – Tim Kniep are already back on track unleashing four new songs.
Content: This EP is an interesting experiment and is a step forward in the long career of the project. The familiar Minimal/Electro-Wave sound has been mixed with harder Industrial sound treatments and Acid passages. The vocals inject a ghost-like effect on top.
+ + + : The songs are made of retro elements like 80s/Wave-Electronics, Industrial sounds and Acid (which also brought us back to the late 80s) and yet Synapscape never sounds that refreshing. I think it’s all in the mix of influences and the way they bring it together in a flexible approach. “Instructed To Run” is an absolute masterpiece and the perfect exposure of their creative mindset.
– – – : Only the last track “Of Facts And Circumstances” sounds like the less convincing one; kind of B-side song next to 3 smashers.
Conclusion: Synapscape is recycling retro-influences to create new sonic paths.
Best songs: “Instructed To Run”, “Peyote Calls”, “Face On”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.synapscape.org / www.facebook.com/synapscape
Label: www.ant-zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official
Listen to “Instructed To Run”:
About Synapscape
Synapscape is a post-industrial and power noise project from Bielefeld, Germany, formed by Philipp Münch and Tim Kniep. The duo also records together with Imminent as The Incredible Three.
Synapscape released its self-titled debut album on Ant-Zen in 1995, followed by “Rage” in 1997, “So What” in 1999, “Positive Pop” in 2001, “Raw” in 2002, and “Act!” in 2005. Later full-lengths include “Now” (2007), “Again” (2009), “Traits” (2011), “Rhythm Age” (2015), “Still” (2018), “A Journey Through Concern” (2020), and “The Stable Mind” (2022), all on Ant-Zen. The four-track EP “Close To Comfortable Distance” followed on the same label in September 2022.
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