Released
1997
Label
Hands
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
PO Box 1701
90707 Fürth
Deutschland
Visit
Last Edit/Update
31 juli, 1998
Ah Cama-Sotz
ÉPITHAPHE
Track Listing
1. Lustt
2. Confession
3. Istayul (Live in Leipzig)
4. Le Lieu Maudit
5. Hecate's Psy (Original Long Version)
6. Huracan (Part II)
7. Black Mist
8. Exxtrrminate
9. Deo Gratias
10. Bewegung Faktor M (Live in Leipzig)
Enter a landscape of medieval myth and mystique translated into harsh, corroded,
electronic sound waves. This is the eerie, nocturnal sound-world conjured up by Ah
Cama-Sotz through thundering electro-percussions and charged synth emissions. A
new CD by this strange entity is forthcoming from the prestigious German progressive
electronics label Hands, which also released the first Ah
Cama-Sotz full-length -- Épithaphe.
The ten instrumental compositions
comprising Épithaphe run to a total of more than seventy minutes. Three tracks of
a lethally danceable nature open and close the CD, while its heart consists of a series of
dark, atmospheric mood pieces; towering amongst which is the monumental (19 min)
"Hecate's Psy."
Layers of electronic rhythms,
ranging in quality from deep, continuous rolling impacts to lashing and whipping beats
dominate the first two tracks -- "Lustt" and "Confession." Stormy,
distorted winds blow through the backgrounds of these pieces, and high-frequency synth
pulses soar out of the dark rushes of sound like screaming bats fleeing the fiery pits of
hell itself. These are dynamic, constantly mutating, percussion-based compositions that
will delight the dancing crowds of any underground night club. The pumping percussions
reach another climax on "Istayul," which was recorded live in Leipzig. This
piece begins with waves of ominous howls and amok electronics; later evolving into a rich,
accelerating stream of both synth and acoustic percussions.
After this introduction of high
intensity, rhythm-based electronic music, Ah Cama-Sotz changes pace on
"Le Lieu Maudit," "Hecate's Psy" and "Huracan." All three
pieces are disconcerting soundtracks that call back to mind, the images of many a cold
sweat nightmare. "Le Lieu Maudit" plays like a walk through a chilling
subterranean cave, with slow tremorous presences of sound breathing down one's neck, and
dripping icy sounds echoing back and forth within the walls of this dark sound sculpture.
This suspenseful and uneasy atmosphere carries over into "Hecate's Psy," which
features electric pulses and other rhythmic elements travelling over a lingering void of
horror symphonics, and dreamy thematic moments that appear and disappear like so many
fading memories. "Huracan" is the most impressionistic piece on the album, being
essentially a buzzing curtain of aural fabric, upon which are pinned a sizable collection
of grating, tinkling, sawing and thumping details of sound.
After an opening of hovering,
ominous presences that slowly soar and swoop as if on heavy wings, "Black Mist"
develops a slow, dragging beat that wanders through the rest of this inferno of tense
vibrations and shimmering pulses. "Exxtrrminate" returns to the more
straightforward, percussion dominated, electronic dance music of the CD's beginning. This
piece features a minimum of distortion and drone, and is the shortest and simplest on Épithaphe.
The closing two tracks -- "Deo Gratias" and "Bewegung Faktor M" --
while also designed for the dance floors, are much more intense and saturated in sound.
Here, the wheels are spinning at higher revolutions, and each percussive impact lands with
a resounding thump.
By splicing the genes of gothic and
power electronics, infusing it with a dose of dark ambient blood, and shrouding it all in
a thin veil of noise, Ah Cama-Sotz has arrived at a compelling new
musical hybrid on Épithaphe. As mentioned, the CD was released by Hands,
and, in keeping with this label's customs, was made available in two versions: The
standard edition reviewed here, and an exclusive, limited edition with special artwork and
a bonus 7".
