Mac of BIOnighT - Black Light
(2006 SynGate CD-R 2065)
I wrote this album to let out all the pain and confusion I was feeling
during a very difficult time of my life - music's always helped keep me sane...
I turned into music my feeling of not being adequate to this world; the shock of seeing the horrors human beings can perpetrate when
I saw some documentaries on nazism and realized that the very same kinds of things still go on in many parts of the world, even if
on a smaller scale and under different names; the accident I had at the beginning of 2005 with a chainsaw that split one side
of my face in half, and the notion that some scars carve pain deeper into us and are harder to cure than those of the body; the desire
for bad times as hard as a winter to end; my attempts at understanding some of the things that were going on around and inside of me;
the loneliness I felt in that place where nobody could reach me; the feeling that all was wrong; my willingness to do all it took
to straighten things out; and the sensation that sometimes in life even light seems to be black...
Mac of BIOnighT, February 2006
Synthmusic Direct (UK)
I have been exchanging
emails with Mac for a few years now, on and off, so was aware of a
horrendous accident he had after which he had to come to terms with both
mental and physical scars on the long journey to recovery. He was cutting up
wood with a chainsaw and suddenly the chainsaw hit something, bounced back
and struck him in the face. During the ordeal that followed over the next
few months Mac said that sometimes things became so dark that 'even the
light seems to be black', thus the title of this album. Sometimes though,
times of such despair fuel an artist's creativity and that is what has
happened here as 'Black Light' is an amazing album, quite the best I have
ever heard from him either solo or as part of BIOnight.
'Inadequate' starts with bright but moody shimmering melodic touches wafting
through the air then in comes a rhythm and bouncy sequence combination. The
sequence is excellent but I am not too sure about the drums as they do sound
a little too 'retro' to me thus provide the only slightly negative comment I
have about the entire album. Having said that though they do seem to blend
in with the piece the more you listen to it. 'Manmade Horrors' continues on
at quite a pace with an excellent bubbling sequence taking the initial lead
before an even better bass sequence joins it and it is from here on in that
the album really starts to show its class. Again brooding pads form quite an
effective contrast as yet another sequence is added almost giving a snarl to
proceedings. Fantastic Stuff!
'A Deeper Pain' continues to feature sequences heavily but this time slower,
as if questing, trying to find something. A way out maybe. The sequences go
through various twists before disappearing only to return accompanied by an
almost hissing rhythm. Again, absolutely wonderful. 'Waiting for the Winter
to end' is really moody as windy effects mix with soft tron type sounds and
a tender piano lead line. It is a gorgeous interlude that breaks things up
again before the sequences return once more in 'Trying to Understand'. They
are of a tinkling variety which provides the perfect foil for the
introduction of another spot on ballsey bass sequence. They form their own
melody as they weave round each other captivating the mind, drawing you in.
No chance of concentration wandering here. Rhythm joins the pulsations and I
am reminded a little of Skin Mechanix at their best. Virtual guitar then
comes in adding that extra bite. 'Scars' brings back rumbling deep dark
sequences. This is moody, moody, haunting stuff. In the last two minutes all
the pulsations disappear and we are left with deep melancholy atmospherics.
Another slice of brilliance. 'If I have too' keeps up the despair with
string sounds then angst ridden distorted virtual guitar type electronic
barrages. A brooding sequence rumbles forward trying to dispel the feeling
of hopelessness. The pace quickens as more rhythm comes in along with
explosive soundwaves.
'Blade of Loneliness' has a rather desolate feel as metallic drones just
echo in the air to fade into the distance. Very effective it is too. 'All
Wrong' kicks the sequences back into life in the form of a staccato run of
bass notes which get faster and faster as more lines of pulsations come to
join it in very Arc fashion. Indeed it would have been very at home on
'Radio Sputnik' even getting to 'Arcturus' proportions as we progress
further in. This album is full of fantastic tracks but this is the best so
far- awesome! We finish with the title track. Swirling electronics and
sighing windy effects breath from the speakers like listening to the very
sounds from Hell. Another excellent sequence emerges from the maelstrom,
reminding me a little of Rolf Trostel. Fizzing stabs of sound add to the
feeling of foreboding still further. This has been one of my most played
albums all year. Very highly recommended. (DL)
Dave Law, 2006
(c) Mac of BIOnighT
Electroambient Space (USA) Though written during a
dark time in Mac’s life, the music is typically upbeat and
irresistible. “Inadequate” starts with warm synth strings much
like AirSculpture often do, but within less than a minute a steady
beat and cool sequencing picks up the pace. This mid-tempo piece has
a wonderful groove to it. And while “Manmade Horrors” has a
rather ominous title, it has wonderfully bright, brisk sequencing
from the get-go. Though it reminds me of Dom F. Scab’s fast Berlin
school style, it captures the classic BIOnighT sound as well. “A
Deeper Pain” is equally incongruous, the bright optimistic tones
belying the nature of Mac’s emotions when he wrote it. Again the
sequencing, pace and melody are first-rate. “Waiting for the
Winter to End” is softer and sadder, with pretty synth flutes.
“Trying to Understand” starts slow but it too tends toward the
brighter and more melodic end of the spectrum once it gets going. I
love the really low bass sequence in “Scars,” balanced by high
shimmering tones hanging above it. A lighter sequence takes up the
middle ground, as does a soft synth lead. Intricately weaved synths,
sequencing and rhythms form “If I Have To,” another fun one. And
so it goes, well-arranged EM compositions right up to and including
the title track to close things out strong. Good stuff!
Phil Derby, 2006
SynGate (D)
Mac can easily be described as someone who certainly knows his way around
in writing /mixing music in a home studio environment. There's no doubt that
we are dealing with an artist who expresses himself thru music and who's
capable of finding the right composition/melodies for his inner moods.
Another very strong aspect is his sequencing ability; there are some
sequencing lines in his tracks that deserve to be called fantastic.
Black Light tells us a very personal story about Mac during a
period when he was 'struggling'. It's
true that music can keep you sane in difficult periods, and there are many
people who get out of a troubled period thru their interest in arts/music.
'Inadequate'
is a good starter and 'Manmade Horrors' is built around smooth sequencing
with no drums. 'A deeper pain' is a very
soulful "building" track, the guitar like sound is a winner,
and with drums starting after around five minutes this track has it all. 'Waiting
for winter to end' is chilling without drums, the pads are snowy landscapes
and tiny crystals tumble out of the sky, very subtle and well laid out track.
'Trying to understand' drags you into a Sorcerer-like landscape at night,
quality sequencing like TD in that particular movie, dark and
occasionally on the edge of insanity!
'Scars' is made without drums, this
piece is music story telling and it’s entertaining from the first till the
last note. One of my favourites. 'If I have to' starts with a
hard-rock like intro until the lighter sequences take over, the guitar comes
back later and makes this track a unique piece with some mixed emotions supported
by fx power drums. 'Blade of
loneliness' is an ethereal, remarkable track and made of pure
musical emotions. 'All wrong' takes
every second of your attention, the sound palette/sequences changes smooth
and this is again 'Mac' sequencing at his best.
'Black
Light' starts nice and chaotic until the sequences roll in, the higher
sounds show some classic influences here and this is truly a worthy end of a
very good CD that represents a strong creative outburst.
