Equestrain Vortex — Samhain Ritual
This release is the project debut, and it brings together Darren Charles( of The Dead End Street Band) & Tony( ex The Dead End Street Band) from Newcastle upon Tyne. Sound wise I guess what we have here is fairly similar to what The Dead End Street Band do- i.e. creating synth craft that sounds like it's from some long forgotten 1970’s or 1980’s horror film soundtrack, but I think maybe the sound here is a little more focused, structured & less wondering than TDESB’s sound can be.
The three tracks are constructed using a selection vintage analog synthesizers, and electronics, and all but one track is built around a fairly firm 'n' set electro pulsing backbone. Opening up the album we have the longest track which comes in the form of 21.31 minutes of “Samhain Ritual”- this track is centred around a eerier mid-to- higher pitched chopping synth element, which is edged with subtle beats- as the track progresses the pair added in moody low droning back drop, and all manner of electro swishes 'n' wails . The track to start with rather brought to mind either the soundtrack for Halloween two or three- but as it progressed it got a bit more seared & noisy around the edges. This track is a good start to the album, and managed to keep my attention held through-out.
Track two comes in the shape of “Gnostic Mass”, and this comes in at around the eleven & a half minute mark. The track opens with a fairly constant stabbing, urgent yet thin mid range synth tone- as the track progresses the pair add in murk curls & stretchers of electro tone. And at one point a more pronouched & chop synth repetition is added, as the electro tones get more agitated & searing in their feel…all of this nicely builds the tension up & up. The whole thing builds to taut, dense & hellish mass, which recalls a noisy cousin of BBC radiophoincs from the 70’s.
Last up we the just under thirteen minutes of “ Brotherhood Of The Chupacabras”. This is built around a chopping & slightly oscillating meaty synth repetition, which is ribbed by thin pitter patter elector cymbals, taut sweeps of rushing sub-tones, and latter on sweeps of high pitched synth whines & chops. The whole thing rather brought to mind a mix of more structured & repetitive Throbbing Gristle, & tense 'n' taut late 70’s soundtrack chase music.
All in all this is a rewarding & consistent first release from this pair- so if you enjoy the place were 70/80’s electronic based soundtrack meets slightly noisy/ experimental fare this is well worth a look. Apparently pair has got more releases lined up in the near future, so I look forward to hearing those.