Title: Fragments of War
Artist: Gaping Chasm
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 21st April 2006
Label: Aliens Production
Album Review
It was in 1995, when Ergo started his project GAPIBG CHASM in an effort to combine classic EBM with distorted vocals and on the other hand very soothing, sometimes dark atmospheres. He released several demo tapes in 1996 and 1997, before he produced his first CDR ‘Desire’ in 1997, followed by 2 others. 6 years after the last CDR was released, the first album ‘Fragments of War’ was finally finished and ready to be unleashed.
On his first album, he faces up to the terrors of war, the senseless killings and what these combats do to the soldiers, who’ve been involved and survived. This begins already with the cover, showing soldiers marching through the field and on the background, a soldier who got shot and is about to die. The first rack ‘Welcome in Europe Part I +II’ is an industrial opus, in the first half only consisting of sparse rhythmical elements, but all the more samples of war, reflecting acts of war. The second part on the other hand brings up the more melodic elements of the track and strikes with a detailed, mostly distorted beat.
Many of the tracks like ‘Day D’ that draws its fascination from especially from the surprisingly calm vocals and hovering layers of dark pads or ‘To be Free’ for instance have their roots in the classic EBM and industrial, however they’re deviating from the usual schemes and Roman is always eager to build in new elements like the gorgeous vocal gadgets in the before mentioned ‘To be free’ or to beef up the beats with richly layered effects. ‘Only Shadows will survive’ has become my personal favourite on ‘Fragments of War’, speaking out a stark truth. All that is left of the soldiers, who were forced to witness the horrors of a war is a shell, they’re just shadows of their former self. To put that sad message into a fitting costume, Roman orchestrated the track with intriguing strings and pads in the deepest shades of grey on top of broken industrial arrangements.
The album provides a wide variety of moods, even uplifting tones in the track ‘Worms’ for instance, all bound by alternating arrangements, swinging from classic EBM enriched with modern elements through pretty intricate compositions and also genuine club tracks. Listener’s who are sick of the much mediocre stuff out there are well-advised to take a listen here.
Tracklist
01. Welcome in Europe Part I + II – 6:26
02. Day D – 3:40
03. The Frontline – 5:09
04. Only Shadows will Survive (Re-Animated) – 3:25
05. Pulse – 3:38
06. Crossfire (Wired) – 3:59
07. Worms – 5:09
08. To be free – 3:47
09. Another Day in Paradise – 3:29
10. Reflection – 3:46
11. To be free – 3:46
Line-up
Roman ´ERGO´ Petro – All composing, production, Vocals
Website
http://www.myspace.com/gapingchasm
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5
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