Xan Alexander - Ambitronic Soundscapes

As the title suggests this is a more laid back offering from The Omega Syndicate man than his two previous solo albums. The naming conventions used are also a little complex. 'Soundscape I, Metatron I' gets underway with metallic shimmers which hang in the air then fade into the distance. A stellar storm arrives and as it passes is replaced by brooding electronic tones. A slow lonesome lead cries out. The storm returns with added violence to finish. '….., Metatron II' is all rather dark and spooky. Crashing effects punctuate a windy backing. We then get some nice warm pads making fleeting appearances. I was reminded of some of the more atmospheric early Neuronium. This is all very delicate and subtle stuff- and absolutely fascinating. Just the right touches here and there with the perfect sounds chosen. A new mood starts as a sinister bass drone emerges, a fizzing sequence coming and going in its wake, scintillating effects flying over the top. This is a little like something off TD's 'Sorcerer' album. A fresh melodic sequence replaces the previous one and immediately the mood becomes more positive, though as with everything here there is restraint and care. 'Soundscape II, Mysterious Anomaly on Sherwood Street I' is a sonic collage of tones, drones and twitters all going together to create a quite creepy feel. '…… Sherwood Street II' begins seriously quietly and sparsely. Indeed I had to turn the volume right up before I could hear anything happening at all. Eventually things do become more audible but great use is still made of space, the odd sound here, effect there. Things become lighter in the last two and a half minutes as brighter more melodic tones drift from the speakers but overall it's a track that shows real restraint and confidence but also demands quite a bit of the listener- which is no bad thing. 'Mello Interlude' is really quite moody but in a pleasant way, hinting at warm dreamy, even tropical evenings. And yes, of course it heavily features Mellotron. Might be Xan's homage to Edgar's 'Epsilon in Malaysian Pale' I suppose. 'Soundscape III, Suspended Animation I' is all rather dreamy and soothing until a sequence makes an entrance. Sure, it gives things a bit of a shake but it is more of a gentle shove into wakefulness. It's as if it's time to get up but the mind rebels against it, refusing to be dragged into the day. '……, Suspended Animation II' is very abstract. Little 'clicks' suddenly become faster and more pulse like. Very strange stuff indeed until they subside in a sea of warm pads. Even then however things always remain mysterious and a little uneasy. The 'clicks' return to finish.

Tracklist:

01.Metatron I (10:10)
02.Metatron II (14:18)
03.Mysterious Anomally on Sherwood Street I (11:26)
04.Mysterious Anomally on Sherwood Street II (8:46)
05.Mello Interlude (6:40)
06.Suspended Animation I (11:06)
07.Suspended Animation II (10:04)