Cryogenic Echelon - Antipode

A number of releases have already trailed this new artist - almost to the point of nausea.

With earlier efforts rooted firmly in the Dark Electro / Aggrotech scene, seeing this release on the more IDM/Ambient driven 'CRL Studios' is a shocker. Cue new direction change in 3...2...1...

"Overture" initiates proceedings with a brooding, choral sound, met with ambient intricacies not lost on a Cold Spring release. It slowly builds into a track heavily influenced in the Drum 'n' Bass / Dubstep cultures, before suddenly halting.

"Red Serpent" carries over the feeling of the intro, but it's immediate and obvious where Gerry is taking the project - this is closer to IDM and Hardstyle than previous offerings - three tracks feature Hardstyle legends 'Studio-X', and soundwise; this isn't hugely different.

My immediate criticisms with this release come with the order of the tracklist - it's very hard to follow, and although I quite like the idea of having a load of remixes at the end, the introduction of a 'cover' song in the middle of them is a little bit disorienting. Having the same song (Demigod) remixed so many times in a row is also not great - there's enough material on here to spread out the range.

Fussiness aside, this release is far from flawed - tracks like the single 'Pieces of Eden' are gorgeous and haunting, and the loops and drum sections are extremely frenzied and enjoyable.

Excluding the host of featured artists, ranging from Studio-X to Ascension EX's 'Aj Afterparty', we also get to enjoy remixes from Blast Radius, Mangadrive and Falling Skies.

If you're after a seriously melodic, intense and involved musical experience, this is one of my favourite pics for the quarter - it's very very hard to find fault in it.

My absolute favourite moment brings out the geek in me, as Gerry takes the rather bold step of covering Uematsu's 'Hymn of the Faith' from Final Fantasy X. Those familiar with the track understand how this could go down, but it's given a sweet little makeover.

I guess for me, it's hard to really see this totally different side to the project, but it's a welcome addition to the roster at CRL, and it may well carry the genre kicking and screaming into clubs.

Even Side-Line liked it. Nov 26 2012