Derrick Stembridge and Mike Petruna’s Cryptic Logic is an easily-digested industrial album with atmospheric aspects. It is mindful of Front Line Assembly’s more atmospheric works, with dystopian and futuristic elements.
Dystopian and futuristic elements
Derrick Stembridge and Mike Petruna’s Cryptic Logic is an easily-digested industrial album with atmospheric aspects. It is mindful of Front Line Assembly’s more atmospheric works, with dystopian and futuristic elements. My favorite piece is “False Idols.” It begins on a drift-y note, gradually and steadily building, until a series of sequences a la Blade Runner kick in. “False Idols” moves ahead with a solid drum groove; calling to mind the many glittering sensory attractions offered in today’s world, including hints of their questionable and ephemeral benefits.
“The Ones We Lost” is a short, bittersweet, pad-based dedication. It is quite brief but provides a pleasant moment of retrospection, a toast to those who have passed away. “Plastique” is a soulful tech groove, offset by highly-pitched pads. The piece conveys a sense of movement or travel; its electronic sounds are crafted well, organic in nature and sequenced. Mod synth patterns emerge as standout elements of the track, which takes on a goth-industrial vibe. Front Line Assembly might be referenced here again, as well as bands such as Delirium.
A vocal quote from Alien is mixed with the opening strains of “Moments In Space.” The quote is of Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) discussing the ultimate fate of the Nostromo’s crew, then signing off of the mission. The track is notably retro in nature, resembling Air (the French band) and especially songs like “Kelly Watch The Stars.” Vocoded voices accompany pad melodies and spacey mod progressions. Once it kicks in, “Moments in Space” sounds very trance-inducing and is fun to listen to.
I am a fan of this kind of music. I lived in Chicago during the Wax Trax! era, and appreciate the broad and cinematic appeal of albums like Cryptic Logic. I think it could receive a substantial listenership, for those who enjoy music that is both industrial and ambient.
“Each track in this compilation is a chapter in an enthralling sonic odyssey that revitalizes and redefines the electronic music landscape.” ~Labile Records
Cryptic Logic is available on Labile. [Bandcamp | Site]
