VISIONS OF DUNE

ZED was a project out of France led by Bernard Szajner. An Electronic album for sure but we do get some real drums on 4 tracks and guitar on 3 songs. That was the appeal for me along with Klaus Blasquiz being on here. Sadly I have to agree with the majority that this is but a 3 star album. I do like the electronics enough but I was so disappointed with the treated vocals of Blasquiz on that one track. He simply speaks. I was hoping for some chanting that was distorted somehow in a cool way. This album failed to click with me really other than a couple of tracks that are excellent.

A lot of these songs blend into one another. Up first is "Dune" a good start really with those high pitched sounds that rise and fall before atmosphere rolls in. Some guitar follows as the synths growl away. A good start. "Bashar" has drums with swirling synths and more. "Thufir Hawat" has more of the same without drums but experimental sounds come in over top. Not into this one.

"Sardaukar" continues with the swirling synths as drums and more help out. "Bene Gesserit" has electronics that are buzzing with an electronic beat and more. A melancholic synths arrives before 2 minutes then abrasive sounds. It winds down late. "Shai Hulud" has odd sounds indeed along with a beeping sound before an electronic rhythm kicks in. That odd sound continues but it's in the background before being upfront again after 3 minutes with atmosphere and more. Sequencers before 4 minutes and they stop around 5 1/2 minutes. It changes late with deeper sounds and synths firing off.

"Fremen" is a top two and one I liked right away. Drums in this one but it's starts with buzzing synths that rise as others join in swirling around. Synths start to shoot off like fireworks after a minute then electronics and drums. This is good. I like those deep synth sounds starting before 3 minutes. "Harkonnen" is my favourite. High pitched synths before deep electronics kick in as we get a rhythm with drums and guitar too. Nice.

"Abab" has sequencers leading the way but there's more including spacey synths. "Gom Jabbai" has a few different sounds that can be heard, all electronic. "Ibad" has spacey buzzing synths and another electronic sound before a beat then guitar joins in. Treated spoken words from Blasquiz are disappointing after 2 minutes. Not a fan. "Kwizatz Haderich" has loud electronics that come and go along with higher pitched synths in tow. Deeper sounds arrive too. I like this.

An interesting album that could have been so much better in my opinion. HELDON is an example of using drums and guitar with electronics to great success. This not so much.