Title: Shadow Mission - Held V
Artist: Kirlian Camera
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 23rd January 2009
Label: Out of Line
Album Review
KIRLIAN CAMERA, created by Angelo Bergamini in 1980, is one of those shimmering acts in the independent music scene. Being around for almost 30 years and with a fluctuating line-up ever since its inception, the project managed to constantly develop and maintain an original and unique sound, which is limited only by the imagination of their members. Before a new album and a rarities and singles collection will come out, it’s time for ‘Shadow Mission Held V’ turning out as far more as just an interim release.
One incredible violin solo by Austrian virtuoso Fritz Kreisler who died in 1962 in New York opens the disc. I didn’t see that coming perhaps that’s why I was so flabbergasted initially. Subsequently to the last note fading away, the electronics take hold and the remake of KIRLIAN CAMERA’s 1987 classic starts properly. A club number par excellence underscored with the driving dynamics of pulsating beats, hooked up to equal sequences that are chained to weightless melodic layers which are flirting with the undeniable power and goose-bump creating beauty of Elena Fossi’s vocals. Equally in club-compatibility to his predecessor ‘E.D.O. (Europa Drama Orbit)’ shines with frigid rhythmic-scapes ‘till the ascension of wide keys and chorals catapults Elena’s voice into spacey realms. With a conglomerate of crackling and slightly noise-tinged down-tempo beat work allows the listener some respite. The melodic motif subjacent to this track akin to the spherical background noises in the outer space, expands in the later course to a poignant theme interlaced with strings which serves as the perfect backdrop for a wonderful voice.
There are two instrumental intermezzos included as well on the disc. Angelo brings to prominence here his undeniable penchant for experimental sound collages. In Part I of the ‘Alien Chill Calling’ two-parter employs stuttering analogue sounds while a trans-dimensional synth melody carves its way into our minds. Part II is an entirely avant-garde sound construction, binding together warped, alienated speech samples and phased fragmentary sounds, sometimes showing a streak of melody, but most of all staying within their icy scopes. ‘Julia Dream’, the mere mentioning of that title should be enough to make PINK FLOYD fans prick up their ears. It was one of the very early tracks and a b-side on the single ‘I Would Be So Nice’, issued in 1968, a long time before anyone thought of me. Anyway, the KIRLIAN CAMERA rework is very close to the spirit of the original recording, while being all electronic except the alienated guitar in the background. The lush chorus vocals are being underscored with an ethereal sounding church organ. The rhythmical base of the down-tempo track is composed of subtle electronic beats. The melody of this song is based on the British lullaby ‘All the Pretty Little Horses’.
I’m an admirer of the slower, or more experimental tracks KIRLIAN CAMERA have produced a plethora of throughout their long-lasting career. This release except for two tracks focuses on club-compatible tracks. But KIRLIAN CAMERA is known for never settling with mediocrity, even on their up-tempo tracks, so that luckily wasn’t a problem. Grab a copy of this limited edition as some of these tracks likely won’t appear on any other release for a long time, probably never.
Tracklist
01. Heldenplatz (Mission Walhalla X) – 5:34
02. E.D.O. (Europa Drama Orbit) – 4:27
03. Odyssey Europa (Premiere Version) – 2:45
04. Edges (Mission Valhalla V) – 3:24
05. K-Pax (RMX by Fotonovela) – 4:19
06. Alien Chill Calling (Part I) – 2:13
07. Enemy Closing In (Albedo 0.64) – 4:08
08. Julia Dream (KCPF I) – 2:07
09. Alien Chill Calling (Part II) – 4:08
10. E.D.O. (Europa Drama Orbit - Mixtrumental) – 5:53
11. Heldenplatz (Mission Valhalla IX - Radio Edit) – 4:43
Line-up
Elena Alice Fossi – Vocals, Sound Design
Angelo Bergamini – Electronics, Keys, Add.Vocals
Website
http://www.kirliancamera.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/kirliancamerafront
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
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