Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, experimental.

Background/Info: Indian artist Kanishk Budhori is back on track unleashing his second EP on Mindtrick Records. “Mute Angel” features 4 songs.

Content: The previous EP “The Place Where Stars Choir” revealed a perfect merge between electronics and ambient atmospheres. That’s precisely how this EP takes off, but quite progressively Aeon Waves also reveals more experimental and sophisticated sound treatments. Low bass sounds mixed with field recordings (or samplings?) are finally leading to a beautiful last cut driven by a sensual rhythmic and cool vocal effects.

+ + + : Aeon Waves is a relaxing electro-experience, which will appeal for lovers of ambient music. Kanishk Budhori injects a refreshing touch to the world of electro-ambient music. The last song “No Future, No Past” is the most accomplished piece I’ve heard from Aeon Waves thus far.

– – – : The tracks (except the last one) are pretty similar to each other, a bit like one extended piece featuring different chapters.

Conclusion: Aeon Waves is a truly abyssal sound experience, which will make you dream away and lead you into a great final ecstasy.

Best songs: “No Future, No Past”, “Back To Reality”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/AeonWaves

Label: www.mindtrick–records.com / www.facebook.com/mindtrickrecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Aeon Waves is an Indian producer (cf. Kanishk Budhori) who joined the Mindtrick Records roster to add some variety. Aeon Waves seems to be a familiar name in some ambient areas, but I guess it’s a new name for a lot of other music lovers. This EP reveals 3 tracks plus 1 remix.

Content: Aeon Waves is far away from the familiar IDM-driven music released on Mindtrick although the label also has a fascination for rhythmic electro-ambient music. Aeon Waves moves into pure cinematographic experiences.

It definitely sounds ambient-like and the work is strongly characterized by dreamy sound treatments. I can’t say that you can hear this is music from a different culture, but it definitely has something apart from our European format.

The remix of the title song was made by Delete, which reworked the original version adding a slow cadence and some intriguing Russian samplings.

+ + + : The global sound atmospheres running throughout this work are absolutely phenomenal. The dreamy sound waves feel like a caress, but still have this kind of magic imagery appeal. This is the right music for a film. The title song is a fascinating experience, which features dense and beautiful parts, and also a delicate guitar-like sound. The remix by Delete is another great part of the work.

– – – : This EP is not exactly the kind of work that will make you dance, but it will bring you prosperity and relaxation. This is a somewhat different work released by Mindtrick Records so the label followers will maybe not be convinced.

Conclusion: “The Place Where Stars Choir” is a beautiful electro-ambient production and feels like moving back to the essence of this genre.

Best songs: “The Place Where Stars Choir”, ““The Place Where Stars Choir – Delete Remix”.

Rate: (7½).

Band: www.facebook.com/AeonWaves

Label: www.mindtrick–records.com / www.facebook.com/mindtrickrecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, rhythmic-ambient, IDM, dubstep, experimental.

Background/Info: Mindtrick Records was set up in 2007 by Guido (Atiq) v.d Brink and is operating from Rotterdam (The Netherlands). While the label this year celebrates its 10th anniversary this label compilation got released at the end of 2016 featuring 16 bands plus an intro.

Bands: Atiq, Tangent, Rlyeh1, He3dless, Delete, Suboctane, Funckarma, Aeon Waves, Huron, The Travel, SB-Six, Known Rebel, The Travel ao.

Content: I always have considered Mindtrick Records as one of the most visionary labels in electronic-underground music. This is the kind of label, which really brings a bonus to the contemporary underground music by having a nose for intelligent and often avant-garde minded electronic bands. This new compilation is the right sound canvas to discover established bands from the label like Atiq, Delete, Tangent, Sb-Six, Huron, Aeon Waves, Rlyeh1, Known Rebel, He3dless, The Travel… but also a few guests, new names and possible next new signings. Funckarma is for sure the most famous name among the list.

While the first part of the sampler is more based around different kind of ambient music styles, the second part features the most sophisticated and danceable cuts leading the listener towards a sonic horizon made by IDM, dubstep and rhythmic-ambient.

+ + + : A compilation often is the right way to get an idea about a label’s music taste. I think it still is a more appropriated format then streaming, but we all know the CD-sales are going downwards. And yet there are CD’s you better put your hands on especially when they’re exposing such fascinating and well-crafted music like “Frequencies Of The Mind”. Known Rebel and Delete both are without a shadow of a doubt my favorite bands on this series, both composing great sound sculptures supported by fascinating atmospheres. I also have to mention Suboctane and the more indus/IDM cut by Huron.

– – – : It’s not really a point, but I was rather surprised by the more ambient approach featured in the first part of the album. I’m more used to hear more dynamic work from some of these formations.

Conclusion: “Frequencies Of The Mind” is the right work to get more familiarized by the future-electronics of Mindtrick Records.

Best bands: Known Rebel, Delete, Suboctane, Rlyeh1, The Travel.

Rate: (7½).

Label: www.mindtrick–records.com / www.facebook.com/mindtrickrecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: IDM, ambient, d’n’b.

Background/Info: Guido Van Den Brink aka Atiq also is the owner of Mindtrick Records. This label from The Netherlands rapidly became a reference when it comes to discovering new talented artists active in the wider fields of IDM, dubstep and related genres. “Sonorous” has been released on the American d’n’b-inspired label Onset Audio and features 7 cuts.

Content: “Sonorous” has been presented as the ‘new’ sound from Atiq. I rather experience this work as an evolution in sound. The intelligent and sophisticated electronic basis of the Atiq sound remains pretty similar. It’s featuring a mix between IDM, electro-ambient, dubstep and d’n’b influences. The work once again reveals this meticulous approach in sound creation and a kind of fascination for little bleeps and delicate treatments.

The new songs are absolutely amazing featuring Tangent (known from their work on Mindtrick Records and Tympanik Audio) on the debut cut.

The final part features 3 remixes by Red Army, Aeon Waves and DYL.

+ + + : The global sound creation and –production of Atiq remains a must have for lovers of progressive electronics. The new Atiq songs reflect a high degree of sound intelligence featuring multiple impressive sonic details, beautiful sequences, deep-vibrating bass blasts and poignant atmospheres and sensual rhythms. The 4 new cuts are brilliant, but I have a preference for the somewhat tribal-minded “Real Life (Awaits Us)”.

– – – : I expected a bit more out of the remixes. They reveal a more explicit d’n’b approach, but none of these cuts can really compete with the original Atiq versions.

Conclusion: Atiq once again takes me by surprise unleashing a new visionary piece of electronic music. It definitely sounds like music from the future and a real relief to cheap productions and artists repeating themselves.

Best songs: “Real Life (Awaits Us)”, “The Euclidean Perspective”, “Hiraeth”, “Sonorous feat. Tangent”.

Rate: (9).

Band: www.facebook.com/atiqenk / www.facebook.com/GuidoAtiq

Label: www.onsetaudio.com / www.facebook.com/OnsetAudio

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com