Elektro – Elektro II

A biologist would use text and photos to describe a fascinating new creature. Pete Namlook and Robert Görl uses synthesizers and drum patterns to describe this creature. As the title may suggest, this piece of work gives the intricate details of the evolution of an organic lifeform. Like the music, it is always evolving, moving and progressing.

It is very experimental, abstract and raw, bleepy in many places. However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing! The music is full of life, rigorous, breathing and pulsing (in a way similar to the opening tracks of the Putney 2). It tends to be dissonant and unmelodic in places, however, it has simply wonderful moments when everything meshes together in a way that is delightful to the ear (particularly around Part 6). The beats are extremely sublime and calm in places (unlike the previous release, whose harsh and disrupting beats soured it).

It starts off with some high-pitched twiddling, unto which a very memorable bass sequence and ever-so-light drum sequence joins in. The next part is a 15-odyssey, consisting of many bleeps and seemingly random tones. Starts off swirling, but doesn't really head anywhere. Drums sequencing speed along the rest of the track. The next track sees the reintroduction of the bass which left the previous track. Again we have the unusual high-pitched tones. All this leads towards the middle section of the album, which is where lots of filtering and effects is added to the near-melodic sequences. Parts four thru seven are highlights, where lots of the creatures life is described with intimate detail. Wonderful stuff, you can almost hear birds wailing in the distance of the lonely ambience. Gradually the work returns to the elements which started it all, and we are joined in the final 20-minute 'death' sequence, which finishes with a very lonely windy drone. Amazing stuff.

Definitely something for latenight background listening, although you wouldn't want to share it around with your friends too much. It's still rather easy to track down, which suggests it hasn't been picked up by many collectors. Satisfy your experimental side!