Genre/Influences: Dark-ambient, ritual.
Background/Info: Marcus Stiglegger is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his sonic brainchild Vortex with a new album. “As Gods Fall” also is the final chapter of the trilogy about mythology. It all started in 2013 with “Kali Yuga” and “Moloch” came next in 2015.
Content: This work reveals 9 new cuts, 8 remixes and 2 unknown cuts. The sound of this work is dominated by an offspring between dark-ambient atmospheres and ritual passages. There’s a perfect harmony between both sources of inspiration, but especially the ritual input accentuated by spoken-like and haunting vocals is one of the main elements of the album. Heavy sound blasts have been merged together with drones and other slow resonating percussion parts.
Remixes have been made by Apoptose, Phelios, Visions, The Trail, Vinur, Empusae, Bergemann, Operation Cleansweep and Vortex (2 remixes).
+ + + : I liked previous Vortex-releases, but this album is definitely my favorite one. It’s a bit of a referential work revealing the growing maturity of the project, but still a great, explicit ritual touch. The drones and haunting voices are leading the listener into a state of fear. Heavy sound blasts and bombastic, orchestral arrangements are simply brilliant. This album is the result of a truly creative process accomplished with patience, knowledge and talent. Among the remixes I noticed a few cool edits, but I especially want to mention the outstanding work done by Operation Cleansweep. This version will lead you into the last stadium of angst and panic… I also have to mention great edits by Apoptose and Bergemann. Vortex also features a great new cut. Notice by the way the remixes bring us back to earlier Vortex work.
– – – : Ten remixes is a bit over the top. But the main element I’m especially disappointed by is that the final chapter of this trilogy seemed to have been released only on digital format. Previous chapters have been released on CD as well.
Conclusion: “As Gods Fall” shows Vortex at its best, but it also is an album I would consider as one of the most noticeable ones in its genre for the past few months.
Best songs: “War Is Coming”, “The Slain”, “Valhalla”, “Odhinn’s Wrath” + “Close To The Edge – Operation Cleansweep Remix”, “Into The Void – Vortex”, “
Rate: (8½).
