Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

The Stargazer’s Assistant’s - Modular Fields [Zoharum - 2025]

Modular Fields is the fifth feature-length from this British three-piece. It features four around fifteen-minute tracks, which each move through varied and esoteric themed electronica and ambient sonic journeys. Bringing to mind the likes of Tangerine Dream, Coil, as well as slightly more abstract fare/ freeform electro-fare.

The release appears on Poland’s Zoharum, as either a CD or a double vinyl release. I’m reviewing the former, which is presented in six panel white digipak- featuring old black and white portrait pictures of children overlaid by pine trees and detailed shape-like stamps. 

For this album from late 2025, the line-up was- David J. Smith ( Guapo, The Holy Family), David J. Knight (UnicaZurn), Michael J. York (ex-Coil), and Antti J. Uusimaki ( Uzu Noir).

Things kicked off with “Field I”. It starts with warbling ‘n’ wavering synth harmonics, which fairly soon get added to a pulsing, scuttling, and simmering beat pattern.  As things progress, the synth tones shift more into hovering, climbing, and descending pitches; it feels like we’re very much in a dizzying euphoric orbit- either literally around a planet or within our own heads. As we move on, we come to sinister tech like key chops, snaking beats,  buzzing & glimmering synth lines- which seemingly get denser & denser. Before later shifting into where strange primaeval bays & calls meet moody steady climb synth throb & more abstract electro buzzers & glides.

On “Field III” we move from busy collusions of buzzing electro chatter, electro-ethnic beat weave, and hauntingly bobbing vibe flows. Later moving on to baying tone feed back meets climbing to spaced out key patterns, and sci-fi electro unease.  Before resolving on eerier tone swoops and disquieting synth buzz.

I won’t detail the other two tracks, so as to leave some surprise/ sonic adventuring in place. But trust me, each of the tracks takes you on a rewarding and varied ride- with lots of interesting pace changes and shifting atmosphere.

Over the years, we’ve reviewed most of The Stargazer’s Assistant’s output on M[m], and they have consistently put out well-crafted and involving albums that rewardingly blend electronica with ambience. And Modular Fields is no exception to this. 

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Roger Batty
Latest Reviews

The Stargazer’s Assistant’s ...
Modular Fields is the fifth feature-length from this British three-piece. It features four around fifteen-minute tracks, which each move through varied and e...
250226   Hvast - Chwasty Polskie
240226   Dirk Serries - Zonal Disturb...
240226   The Stargazer’s Assistantâ€...
240226   Stephen O‘Malley - Spheres ...
200226   100 Tears - 100 Tears( Blu Ray)
200226   Garden Of Love, - Garden Of L...
200226   Blood Dolls - Blood Dolls( Bl...
190226   Various Artists - So High I'v...
190226   D.A.M. - Inside The Wreckage
190226   Senso - Senso( Blu Ray)
Latest Articles

Crude ‘n’ Hope-corroding Wall...
Back in 2024, I got my first taste of Absurd Reality, and I was so impressed by how crude and nasty its take on walled noise was. Behind the project is South...
290126   Crude ‘n’ Hope-corroding ...
231225   Creepy Images Books - Killer Art
221225   Best Of 2025 - Music, Sound &...
041225   The Spectral Sounds of The Pr...
281025   Michael Hurst Interview - Unb...
071025   Xiphos - The Rise And Fall Of...
030925   Third Window Films - A Label ...
130825   HNW fest- Barcelona- 12th Apr...
250725   Raté interview - Walled-in F...
180625   Matthew Holmes - Of razor-sha...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2025. Twenty four years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom