Released
1998
Label
SD-Image
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
Equinoxe
Organization
P.O. Box 49
09050 Chemnitz
Deutschland
Visit
Last Edit/Update
11 september, 1998
Source Direkt/
Keimbefall
SPLIT PICTURE-10"
(limited: 300 copies)
Track Listing
Source Direkt
Sundown
Keimbefall
Krieger Der Sonne
Nova
The German Equinoxe Organization arranges live events, runs a music
magazine and a mail order service; they also release their own records and CDs under the
banner of SD-Image. One such release is this split vinyl 10",
presenting the work of two German electronic-experimental projects -- Source
Direkt and Keimbefall. The record features abstract-collage
images in B&W on both sides, and is limited to 300 copies.
Both projects have taken
inspiration from the sun in the titles of their compositions, and all three tracks do have
a strong spacious or atmospheric feel to them. "Sundown" by Source
Direkt is a very long piece of synth generated presence and effects. Gurgling,
echoing electronics shimmer against a tense backdrop of sustained humming ambience that
rises and falls in intensity. Much like the sun, the music is in constant flux; at certain
points seemingly developing a thematic flow, only to once more revert to a more random
progression of sounds. At another point, the impression of a female voice wanders through
the piece like an apparition, but then evaporates into the cosmic firmament of sound.
"Sundown" is a nice, dreamy creation full of subtle little details like that,
and it eventually ends with a suddenness akin to the sun sinking beneath the rim of the
horizon.
The two tracks by Keimbefall
are more structured and machine-like than that of Source Direkt. The
sound is still electronic, but darker, more laden, and incorporates voices and rhythmic
elements. The second piece "Nova" is the more intense of the two, beginning with
a high-pitched tone and rusty, pumping rhythms, with a deep bass presence slowly surfacing
to dominate the sound picture. A voice emerges as if transmitted over a crackling radio,
and proceeds with a recital in German that grows steadily more agitated and uneasy to
listen to. With the droning presence reaching its maximum level, this strange speech too
culminates in a series of almost desperate yells. Powerful and compelling music that is
also disconcerting, and actually aided by the slight imperfections of the vinyl.