Thierrey Zaboitzeff - Sequences ( Winds of Sand Women of Rock) 2010

Probably ex Art Zoyds main mans most accessible album to date. Mostly very short instrumental pieces here which challenge and delight with much ethno/ african sampled sounds which recalls his 'India' album in many respects. He has dropped his vocals too on this album which i feel would have been out of context here anyway!

For anyone not familiar with Zaboitzeffs work this album would be a great way as of introduction to his unique world of music, however, the music here does not  dive as deep  as what can be found elsewhere.

The First Caravan

Across The Dunes

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Peter Frohmader - Jules Verne Cycle (1987)

Another cassette only release from "Frohmader" featuring just two long works inspired by the great French Sci fi writer "Jules Verne".

 Nautilus is particularly evocative of "Captain Nemo's" submarine ..... all bubbling with churning  pistons and machine engines gradually going out of control ...........a fantastic sonic painting here!

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Na Margon - Deaths Angel (1993)

Very rare EP release on the swedish "Bauta" label written and performed by Ronnie Ehrs with the intention "to capture the uttermost evil and the uttermost good put to music". Ehrs says, "I do not know if I did succeed, however I would like to think that certain parts of the music really does."

"Na Margon" also features "Lach'n Jonsson" with some additional vocals and sax as well as guitars and drums. As the title may suggest this is mostly dark ambient heavy RIO which really impresses with its intense organ and guitar weaving systemic patterns. The vocals add some extra flavor and are an excellent addition.

Listening to this only leaves one wanting more. A great little obscure gem.

Tracks/Listing
1 Deaths Angel
2 If
3 Deaths Angel ( subconcious version)

Peter Frohmader & Richard Pinhas - Fossil Culture (1999)

A very interesting dark mix from two of the giants - Richard Pinhas ( Heldon) guitar and Frohmader bass / electronics.

As one might expect this is very avant darkwave electro which pulses and pounds with bass and frippian electric guitar dominating the spaces. Ethereal at times, even soundscapey but never new age , always tense and foreboding.

An Excellent Album of primordeal electronics which at times recalls "Fripp & Eno".

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Fossil Culture 1 (11:57)
2. Fossil Culture 2 (5:53)
3. Fossil Culture 3 (10:33)
4. Fossil Culture 4 (8:10)
5. Fossil Culture 5 (8:55)
6. Fossil Culture 6 (9:47)
7. Fossil Culture 7 (16:58)

Total Time: 72:17

Line-up / Musicians - Peter Frohmader / synthesizers, E-MU samplers, 5-string bass
- Richard Pinhas / guitars, Arboretum Hyperprism process

Peter Frohmader - Bass Symphony No 3 (1984)

As the title suggests this is music played with a variety of basses - The Chapman Stick, fretless and string basses with added coloration from choir and voice. It's amazing what can be done with just the bass!

I have to say this remains one of Peter Frohmaders most atmospheric and chilling pieces to date. With the cover depicting a cemetary in the woods this will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect, except this is not your typical horror type soundtrack stuff.

"Winter Music" is so chilled it will turn you to ice before you shiver to death. Thick fog laden wedges of drifting and cyclic bass tones float around the ectoplasmatic ether while ethereal and ghostly choirs create phantasmagorical soundscapes.

"Bass Symphony No 3" is similar but more bass pulse heavy (and slightly industrial), almost like "Stanley Clarke" on Acid in parts. It also reminds me of some early "Tangerine Dream" "Zeit"

A superb work here and very obscure for some reason. I am lucky enough to have the original LP of this so enjoy the warmer (ah hem!) analogue sounds.

Get It Link

1 Winter Music (15:03)

Chapman Stick [Stick], Choir - Peter Frohmader

Vocals [Solo Singing], Choir - Birgit Metzger

2 Bass Symphony No. 3 (13:54)

Bass [4/6/8 String], Bass [Fretless], Choir - Peter Frohmader

Vocals [Solo Singing] - Birgit Metzger

Peter Frohmader - Sphinx Touch

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Peter Frohmader - Orakel / Tiefe ( 1983 )

Using a wde range of descriptive sound colours The opening " Orakel " sends us on a very mysteriuos trip in typical Frohmader style. Very otherworldly realms are perfectly realized here with it's melange of cyclical synthesizers, drums and violin.

Some zeuhl flavors in here but with much uniqueness,and very heavy on atmosphere which drips by the bucketload. Superb entrancing stuff which is totally captivating.

"Tiefe" is more soundscapish but no less impressive and entrancing than "Orakel".The shimmering synth/ organ / drones are ethereal and dark, and tripped out. A mesmerizingly intense dreamscape that takes one to the far alien recesses of ones mind. I.m reminded of some Tangerine Dream " Zeit!, although this has a different feel to it.

The earlier works of Frohmader are for me his best works. Another ESSENTIAL listen here!!

Songs / Tracks Listing

1 - Orakel

2 - Tief

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Peter Frohmader - 3rd Milleniums Choice ( 1990 )

Another highly experimental dark and dense work from PF . Highly synthesized / sampled, and similar in many ways to Homunculus II, although this is much more heavier in parts.

Take Saturn Symphony for instance. Serpentine twists and turns with throbbing bass, pounding timpani and screaming twisted strings, all set the stage for a devastingly powerfull aural experience. Theres some great ambient moments too with otherworldly voice / poetry. Superb for the most part as we get some full on Zeuhl attahk as only Frohmader knows how.

Hyperion features choppy Piano / Strings and more marching madness. Reminds me a little in part of some Art Zoyd.

Eisenkraut features eerie violin and takes us to another dimension with a very strange atmosphere! An OUTATANDINGLY BRILLIANT dark creative experimental ambient work here.

Pharao ends the album perfectly with massed voices and cacophonous blasts.

To sum up. Another obscure little gem of an album. Definitely one of Frohmaders best. Wickedly intense and not to be missed!!!

3rd Millennium's Choice Vol 2

Track Listing:

1 Saturn Symphony (24.50 )

2 Hyperion ( 8.23 )

3 Eisenkraut ( 11.59 }

4 Pharao ( 14.08 )

Lne Up:

Peter Frohmader - Sythesizer, electronics, bass

Stephan Manus - Violin ( on Eisenkraut )

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Peter Frohmader - Homunculus II ( 1988 )

German multi instrumentalist Peter Frohmader is founder and leader of Nekropolis,a heavy, primitive & dark electronic rock group launched in the late 70's. With several solo works under his belt, some with guest players, Frohmader creates some of the most evocatively haunting experimental/ electro / zeuhl like music, ones likely to hear. Close akin to Heldon , Richard Pinhas and Magma. An eclectic and aquired taste maybe, but if you have it then your in for a treat.

Homunculus II was my introduction to his music, and is still one of my favourites. Starting with heavy percussion and eerie atmosphere , the chills come thick and fast with the pounding drum / oboe/ violin / sax, and power bass sections. A rich dark almost medievil gothicness drips, and i find the synth voices really captivating.There's also some quirky surprises along the way too.

With just two long pieces of everchanging , cyclic, creepy electronica ; frohmaders pulsing bass and Bittova's weird violin work, all makes for one hell of a fantastic trip. Sounds cliched, but the images conjured up here are extraordinary. An esotericly sublime atmosphere pervades.

Quite a unique strange underworldly experience then. If your a fan of horror film music and like really dark instrumental experimental music then this is for you. I could almost imagine this as the soundtrack to ' Carnival Of Souls ' .

Homunculus II is one of Frohmaders more rarer releases and is an exceptional album if your in the mood for something different. Very Highly Recommeneded. More reviews coming shortly on some of Frohmaders other releases.

Line Up:

Iva Bittova Violin

Chris Karrer Violins, Alto Sax, Oud

Norbert Preisler Acoustic Guitar

Stephen Siephel Oboe

Peter Frohmader Bass, Synthesizers

Track Listing:

1 - Homunculus Part III

2 - Homunculus Part IV

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