REDSHIFT IX - LAST

'Tormentor' is exactly as advertised, a house of horrors to chill the blood. Discordant synths and liquid percussion suggest dark corridors, and the faint shrieks reinforce the message. The sequencer introduces a hypnotic, repetitive motif after 5:30, drawing us into a splendidly powerful section at the 12 minute mark. Very convincing, this. Right up there with anything TANGERINE DREAM ever manufactured. Why not make 'soulless' electronic music as disturbing and unsettling as this? After a dark segue, the title track tinkles into life without quite the purpose one would hope. It does build gradually, its timbre generally more upbeat than the first two tracks, though still with some discordant elements. To my mind it's the weakest track on the album, but still an enjoyable listen.

A short segue and on to the album's premier track. 'Damage' is just superb, a multi-faceted beast deserving of a far wider audience than it will get. Oddly, there's a final track after the well-deserved audience applause. An encore, perhaps? Nice enough, but it detracts from the impact 'Damage' has as an album closer.

Fans of electronic music really ought to hunt this and its predecessor 'Toll' out and give them both a listen. They offer sophistication, drama and genuinely excellent musical moments. REDSHIFT's 'last' album? My fingers are crossed they make many more of this calibre.