Crystal Cage – 4EPs Boxset (Album – Anywave)
Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, cinematographic.
Format: Digital, 2 Cassettes.
Background/Info: Crystal Cage is a Finish based project active since 2017. This “4EPs Boxset” brings 4 EP’s together, which were originally released between 2018 and Summer 2019. The work has been released on two cassettes featuring one EP on each side. We get a total of twenty two songs.
Content: Most EP‘s are entitled in Dutch (cf. “Voor Altijd Nacht”, “Zielslicht”, “Romantiek Aan Het Einde Van De Wereld” and “Deimos/Daedalia”). The songs are characterized by impressive, ambient electro layers creating a mysterious, haunting atmosphere. The work is definitely soundtrack driven and sometimes reminds me of the atmosphere of the legendary “Twin Peaks”-series. Some tracks feature female vocals, which have been produced as a kind of effect on top of the music. The last EP “Deimos/Daedalia” features guest vocals by metal singer Somniare. This EP sounds a bit different because of the growling vocals, which has something cavernous.
+ + + : Globally speaking this album is characterized and dominated by overwhelming sound atmospheres. It’s the kind of element that gets you in constant alert from start to finish. It also has a strong visual appeal, creating a paranoiac sensation. Crystal Cage deals with a unique sound, which is for sure related to soundtrack/cinematographic music, but there’s more than this. The vocals and effects accentuate the doomy side of the work. It however remains a dreamy trip although a real special one, which rapidly can turn into an imaginary nightmare.
– – – : It’s maybe because the album features so many tracks, but the sound formula created by Crystal Cage becomes rapidly repetitive and predictable. I think this work can serve as a basis for more elaboration.
Conclusion: This album is something special, not exactly the kind of work setting the world of ambient music alight, but there’s some potential hiding in Crystal Cage.
Best songs: “Aisha’s Soul In Decay”, “Phosphorus Betrayed”, “Regen”, “Regenval”.
Rate: (7).
Label: http://anywaverecords.com /
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