Review by rA Hemisphere (PW 08) by Pete Namlook and Steve Stoll

Utterly amazing. Odd cover, looks like the back of a statue of Beethovens head! I always had a feeling about this cd, it must be good, just the name is somehow so evocative. Impressions of this music are that it is unmatched by most FAX catalogue material (apart from Trk 4) . There is certainly an element of 2350 in here and while the sound palette is less minimal than those pieces there is genuinely spaced out pure ambience. This stuff is damn evocative.

• Hemisphere - starts with some of the most atmospheric echoing, bouncing bass and atmospheres I have ever heard. It rates along with Biosphere and Locust, bringing in treated stabs of voice which aren't threatening, more moving. As synths and hisses enter it then fades before the main theme comes back.

• Carbon Theory - starts with shimmering sounds while swathes of bass laden washes underscore a progressive set of chords which enter the track along with a slow almost military beat though this soon fades out and back again.

• Cloud of Orion - Chattering reed-like sounds are added to by a simple sub-bass beat. A pleading voice (in Spanish??) repeats a phrase. Perhaps this track is over-long but its simplicity gives it a certain timeless quality - the changes are subtle so you can engage in these changes or just let it wash.

• It's not my way - Clock chime chords begin to explore a theme that quickly changes into a beaty track built on semi-acid squiggles in the background. The tone here is definitely darker than the other tracks and mirrors some of the elements found in Alien Community but the alien voice chants 'its not my way' though its difficult to distinguish. This voice becomes more recognizable though cut up towards the end. Not such a good track unfortunately in my view.