Omniverse is otherworldly in a futuristic and Sci-fi kind of way, yet it holds all those classic sounds emanating from a 1980s inspired European synth sound. From this release an intricate soundtrack emanates, often touching upon the fringes of techno rave, yet it never sounds recycled in any way and holds its own originality.
An energetic explosion of polished high-octane synths
Omniverse is the second release from JG Thirlwell under his Xordox moniker, and for me, one of the most stand out releases in this genre. Immediately, we’re into an energetic explosion of polished high-octane synths—all retro in character, yet futuristic in musical vision and soundscape; a collection of immensely tuneful compositions of intent—often packaged with laser beam intensity and featuring many elements of surprise.
The energy is dramatic and impulsive throughout and in the case of “Endeavor” it goes on to etch a pathway towards an overflowing of the royal majestic. Brass explosions galore and splashes of synth wash, both vast and bombastic. Although opening with such high energy, throughout, there is also no shortage of space either, with well-placed developments of synthesized creativity that gives it an almost electronic orchestral symphonic feel. Every detail is made to count here—as it takes on the form and shapes that you’d imagine emerging from an intricate score, and not least, dynamics a plenty.
“Argonia” presents itself as if it were a feature film—start to finish, however, the moods shape and shift—”Dark Matter” gives the feeling suggested of its title—a sinister sounding progression and a vintage stylistic concept. The waves of sounds continue to be tantalizing and teasing, while issuing their own veiled warnings. A sophisticated sound map that is spacey, full of ever-expanding atmospherics, a hint of techno, yet with an added complexity of that aforementioned symphonic soundscape. Its dark lines climb, with a mood of scary suspense. Progressive in a pleasing way with a melodic progression that occasionally lifts the track before it switches back into dark trepidation.
This release has the kind of intensity of red-hot lava; heat on polished steel, build ups that climb the height of New York skyscrapers yet can reach down below into the unpolished subway after dark.
“Between Dimensions” is a dark, damp tunnel of monochrome lighting with sequenced flashes of while light—all of which could be both blinding and disorientating, then come razor sharp pointy sparks atop its pulse of bassline. There’s an almost mocking surrealism of computerized form that also features robotic voiceover. A journey that takes on every lurking shadow and presents it however your mind decides to witness it in any given moment, meaning there is plenty of scope for thought provocation thanks to its very obvious musical juxtaposition.
This release has the kind of intensity of red-hot lava; heat on polished steel, build ups that climb the height of New York skyscrapers yet can reach down below into the unpolished subway after dark. The ebb and flow of music expression gives way to much photographic idiosyncrasies, if such diversity were to form filmic pictures.
Ghostly vocal effects however brief, give impact during “Croydon” and then there’s the dark echo chamber that is “Oil Slick” enhanced with its effects of coming storms—just there on the outside, gently building, the threat always ebbing and holding firm its telling presence.
Omniverse is otherworldly in a futuristic and Sci-fi kind of way, yet it holds all those classic sounds emanating from a 1980s inspired European synth sound. From this release an intricate soundtrack emanates, often touching upon the fringes of techno rave, yet it never sounds recycled in any way and holds its own originality. It’s full of demonic grandeur; shining brass that gives the feel of the majestic thanks to its moments of exuberant unrelenting expression of bright jubilation. It also holds significant trace elements that provoke imagery based around film noir—many daunting yet powerful mind maps.
Omniverse is available on Editions Mego. [Bandcamp | Website]
