Genre/Influences:    Experimental, cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD, vinyl.

Background/Info: German artist Günter Schlienz has released an impressive number of productions since 2010. Most of his works were released on cassette and a few on vinyl. This opus is his third album released by Zoharum. The vinyl edit has been released by Zuckerzeit Tonträger (as a collaboration between Cosmic Winnetou and Zoharum).

Content: I got the impression this album features 2 parts. The first tracks reveal a perfect twist between pure dark-ambient and –cinematographic music. The tracks have been achieved with a strong arsenal of electronic noises and astral bleeps. It has a retro-touch, which naturally comes from the artist’s passion for modular synthesizers. The last tracks of the work are more into minimalism. The sphere is more inhibited and revealing a kind of sadness created by the use of less sounds. 

+ + + : Even if I think I recognize two chapters in this album, it also sounds pretty compact. There’s a natural progression from the ambient/astral debut cuts to the intimate final tracks. It feels dreamy, relaxing and yet also mysterious. The minimalism of “The Prophet – Part Two” is really beautiful and artistic. A similar sensation emerges from the next cut (cf. “More Beautiful”) so the best part of the work is definitely the second one.

– – – : Some passages sound a little bit monotonous and that’s probably because this kind of music is suited as a part of a greater artistic performance featuring visuals or even theatre, ballet etc.  

Conclusion: Sadness can also be deeply artistic, when transposed into a beautiful sonic adaptation. That’s precisely what I feel when listening to this opus.

Best songs: “The Prophet – Part Two”, “More Beautiful”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.guenterschlienz.de

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

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, ambient, cinematographic.

Background/Info: Günter Schlienz is a name that maybe doesn’t ring a bell although he already released an impressive number of productions. This artist is now active for years and is building his own synthesizers becoming a respected and renowned artist in the modular electronic music. This album is a re-release featuring 2 extra cuts.

Content: “Book Of Dreams” invites the listener into the discovery of good-old analog sounds. It sounds retro-electro like and reminds me now and then to Wim Wenders. There’s a strong cinematographic appeal emerging from the tracks although it also remains an experimental opus polished with astral sonorities.

+ + + : “Book Of Dreams” is an album to dream away on. I like the prosperity hanging over the cuts. The work has been accomplished with some delicate and crystalline bleeps. I also enjoy the analogue sounds and signals of this work. One of the previously unreleased tracks adds a real bonus to this new edition.

– – – : “Book Of Dreams” is an album on, which you can dream away and yet it’s not the most accessible production in the genre. Experimental music remains something apart and not always easy to catch.

Conclusion: “Book Of Dreams” is an invitation to close your eyes and reach higher regions from our imagination.

Best songs: “Kafkaesque Speeches”, “The Girl With The Cloud Coloured Shirt”.

Rate: (6½).

Band: www.guenterschlienz.de 

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

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