Genre/Influences: Cinematographic, Dark-Ambient. 

Format: Digital, CD.

Background/Info: This is the third album by Planet Supreme and the first one released on Cryo Chamber. Previous works were released on Ant-Zen and Databloem. Driven by Swedish artist Karl Ture Rydby (known from Grand Mal X and StrykninY) this album is ‘for dreaming of fallen alien civilizations’.

Content: The music takes off like sounds emerging from dark dungeons with overwhelming strings on top. The tracks remain dark, here and now accentuated by electronic sequences or simply a few piano-like tones. The composition remains created by analogue sound treatments with field recordings.

+ + + : The work of Planet Supreme became more Cinematographic than the first album, but the main difference is the less Experimental approach. It makes the music more accessible while revealing a strong visual appeal. I like the analogue effects and some of the sound treatments, creating an icy feeling. The strings accentuate the Ambient sound, but also creates a growing sensation in the song structure. This feeling emerges at the last track “Above Broken Ground”, which is a brilliant and elaborated piece of music ending in a climax. I also recommend the opening track “Come Night” and “Machina”, which is driven by more explicit Electro sounds.

– – – : Next to the aforementioned great tracks, the album also reveals a few more monotone parts where less is happening.

Conclusion: “Creation Of A Star” is the right album to be released by Cryo Chamber; an enjoyable Cinematographic work.

Best songs: “Above Broken Ground”, “Come Night”, “Machina”

Rate: 7.

Artist: www.planetsupreme.se / www.facebook.com/Planet-Supreme-244077386511506

Label: www.cryochamberlabel.com /  www.facebook.com/CryoChamber

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: Experimental, IDM, electro-minimalism.

Background/Info: Grand Mal X joined hands together with Ant-Zen and earlier this year released the interesting album “Darkness”. This work brings us back to tracks that were originally released on cassette format in between 2010 and 2016.

Content: This Swedish artist reveals an interesting ‘earlier’ work, which was pretty minimal and yet sophisticated. From experimental groovy passages to pure IDM to electro-minimalism which sometimes reminds me to Sleep Chamber, this work covers a wide canvas of influences. It also sounds like some cuts are into pure improvisation while others are featuring field recordings. The half spoken vocals parts are quite noticeable as well.

+ + + : This album mixes sound intelligence and pure minimalism. It sounds definitely experimental like although quite accessible because of the slow rhythms and vocals. I like the varied influences running through this work while the tracks remain pretty compact.

– – – : I noticed a few forgettable cuts and I especially refer to the more soundtrack-orientated passages of the work.

Conclusion: I think it’s a damned good idea to have selected some ‘old’ cassette tracks to put them on CD. Grand Mal X remains an interesting project you really should have to discover if you don’t know it yet.

Best songs: “Stealth Minds”, “Empire Of Spheres”, “Vortex As Inverted Pyramid”, “Tricks Of A Trade”, “Late Night Call”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.grandmalx.com / www.facebook.com/Grand–Mal–x-255832711118252

Label: www.ant–zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official

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-wave, experimental, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Set up in 2010 by Swedish musician Karl Rydby, Grand Mal X has been mainly active releasing music on cassette format. Joining hands together with Ant-zen is not only a consecration for this artist, but is an opportunity to reach a wider audience while “Darkness” also is the first official CD-album.

Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the music of Grand Mal X, but there clearly is an electro-retro approach reminding me of the 80s. The opening songs will appeal for 80s lovers featuring a few great cuts carried by deep bass vibes. Quite progressively the work evolves towards a more experimental- and cinematographic format. It’s more ambient-like and makes me think to ‘glasshouse’-music built up with precious sound treatments.

+ + + : I’m totally addicted to the opening part of the work. The electro-minimal and totally vintage-minded sound is absolutely great. It sounds dark and somewhat sterile while revealing a tormented atmosphere recovering the production. This obscure side comes back in the cinematographic approach of the work. Sound-wise this album is characterized by original sound treatments and carried by deep, overwhelming bass vibrations.

– – – : It’s all about personal taste, but I’m not as convinced by the ambient/cinematographic side of the work. It’s not bad, but definitely not reaching the level of the electro-minimal cuts.

Conclusion: Grand Mal X will be for sure a discovery for numerous electronic lovers, which thanks to the Ant-zen distribution will for sure gain more recognition and interest. This is a band to keep an eye on!

Best songs: “Flamma”, “Stjärndamm”, “Nights”, “Essence”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/Grand–Mal–x-255832711118252

Label: www.ant–zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official

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