The Electronic Thread

Paysage d'Hiver - "Die Festung" demo (1998)

Swiss atmospheric black metal producer Tobias Möckl burst onto the underground scene in the late 1990's with a slew of demo recordings that might as well have been proper releases by the quality on offer. "Die Festung" was the third of these releases to appear in 1998 alone but this time we see Paysage d'Hiver offering up a collection of five tracks that stick entirely to the ambient/dungeon synth sound that has always been a part of Paysage d'Hiver's black metal releases. It's a damn one too just quietly. In fact, "Die Festung" is pretty much the catalyst for the entire "winter synth" variety of dungeon synth music & you can easily see why because the quality of this material in impeccable, leading me to make the unexpected claim that this may actually be the finest dungeon synth release I've heard to date. The fifteen-minute space ambient opener "Eishalle" is absolutely out of this world & is the perfect embodiment of the "Lord of the Rings" aesthetic while the beautiful "Eisprinzessin" paints clear images of dripping ice in a snow-covered landscape. This dude is an incredibly talented composer with unbelievable creativity & focus, paving a musical path that sees Paysage d'Hiver perennially sitting on top of the extreme music pile.

For fans of Jääportit, Aindulmedir & Örnatorpet.

4.5/5

Tangerine Dream - "Rubycon" (1975)

The sixth full-length studio album from these Berlin progressive electronic legends is one of their finest works. It's perhaps not as classic as 1972's incredible space ambient epic "Zeit" but it's a great listen nonetheless. In fact, I think it may just top 1974's excellent "Phaedra" & I'm a big fan of that one too.

For fans of Klaus Schulze, Vangelis & Steve Roach.

4/5