Synapscape- Act!

Artist: Synapscape
CD Title: Act!
Label: Ant-Zen
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 4/3/06

Seminal rhythmic noise duo Synapscape is back, and although Philipp Muench and Tim Kniepp haven't forgotten the rhythm or the noise, there’s also a new element of ambient experimentalism on their latest album. "So Einfach Ist Tennis," for example, marries synth arrangements faintly reminiscent of The Orb with the expected choppy drum machines, while "Kollberg" is cinematic dark ambient at its finest, with industrial beats and a tense bass line that eventually trail off into pure minor-key soundscape. "Soundcheck" is unexpectedly pleasant and perky despite its hard-hitting breakbeats, while "Sellout" ditches the beats in favor of cold looping drones and white noise. Fans of Synapscape's signature sound have little to worry about, however. "Rejah" is everything you've come to expect from the duo, with unintelligible vocal shouts and snappy power noise breakbeats, while "The Hoe" adds a hint of tribal percussion to a morass of reverb and the occasional grating high-pitched squeal. "Reaktonoize" adorns industrialized rhythmic intensity with a spaced out theremin effect, while the more minimal "Katunga" is all low-end rumbling feedback. "Wings" is a bit of a surprise; with some of the most clear -- though still significantly distorted and aggressive -- vocal work ever to appear on a Synapscape track, it's a bit like early Skinny Puppy gone power noise. "Alice" takes the opposite approach with vocals that appear to have been ground up in a wood-chipper. Though there are slight hints of harmony and perhaps even melody on this release, make no mistake: this is still rhythmic noise at its finest, and Synapscape are still the kings of the world's most brutal, unforgiving dance floors.

Visit www.ant-zen.com/synapscape for more information.