The 7th Work

Rainbow Serpent - The 8th Nerve
(2005, Manikin Records MRCD 7074)

Electroambient Space (USA)

The 8th Nerve" showcases Gerd Wienekamp and Frank Specht doing what they do best, mixing retro and modern synth elements with ease. “Audioframe” starts with a slow tempo and keeps it going, nothing fancy but it works well. “Mindmachine” is a very typical sound for them with a catchy beat and sequencer, although it runs a tad long. A few tracks fall into this category, but then again, some may want to just chill and get hypnotized by each groove. “N-Tropical” is full of bubbly energy, the tight bass and sequencing sounding like recent upbeat output by Ian Boddy. “Edge of Reality” starts as floating ambient and ends with tribal rhythms. “Third Ear” has great variety, starting with a synth-based acoustic guitar lead line. This stops abruptly and moves into a mellow string section with various cool sound effects. Then it kicks up a notch with synths and sequencing sounding a lot like Tangerine Dream from around 1981’s /Exit/ album. The acoustic guitar lead resumes, a nice counterpoint to the synth sounds. Also very good are mellow atmospheric numbers such as “Planet Audio” and “Winterlandschaft,” both starting as relatively formless ambient selections that evolve into softly undulating rhythms and gentle soothing electronics. “Retropolis” has a jamming keyboard riff that cooks right along. “Pibgorn” is mostly about the beats, with ethnic synth touches. /The 8th Nerve/ gets progressively stronger, culminating in the excellent grooves of “See – Not Have,” a laid-back satisfying melodic closer, followed by the dark epilogue “Noosphere.”

Phil Derby, 2005

Synth Music Direct (UK)

At last, a new Rainbow Serpent album! And what a triumphant return it is. Even though there are twelve tracks listed they all form one wonderful continuous piece of music. 'Audioframe' is certainly an impressive start. Very deep bass rumbles give way to an exquisite rhythm with just a hint of Eastern promise in the backing. Near the end we descend to lush deep pads over which dreamy sonic swirls move like the wind blowing a light mist. Seamlessly drifting into 'Mindmachine' the pace quickens again as rhythm, melodic motif and chugging sequence all combine together to provide an excellent foot tapping, body moving number which gets even more insistent as the track progresses. This would have been an awesome track if it hadn't been spoilt slightly by some irritating vocal effects that come in just before the sixth minute and return for another short reprise in the last minute (for me the only negative comment I can make about the album). Thankfully each time they only last for a few seconds.

'Radiotrip' is another highly syncopated number. Subtle little melodies nestle into the middle of the mix attracting the attention first one way and then another. There are some radio commentary type samples but they work well amongst the music and are not overdone. All pulsations depart as we enter 'Winterlandschaft'. Initially it had the feel of some of the more atmospheric moments from Johannes Schoelling's 'White Out' but then takes on a chilled, gently rhythmic blissed out feel. Melodies are used sparingly but this makes them even more effective like light shinning off ice-coated mountains. As the track progresses it even becomes quite Schulzian. 'N-Tropical', appropriately, does have warmer tones to it. Again it makes use of subtle melodies but this time they are quite uplifting, even happy. Then in complete contrast we get the very moody and atmospheric 'Edge of Reality' full of cold sounding cosmic winds and metallic percussion. The mood does soften somewhat a minute in as things become even spicier but then we keep returning to quite ominous, even spooky passages.

Strange rhythms start up as if aliens were emerging from beneath the planet surface taking uncertain steps which gradually become more confident as the rhythm itself gains added momentum. It's a track which develops wonderfully throughout its duration, rapidly moving between one sub section and the next. The sequences really begin to roll again as we enter 'Third Ear'. A strident melody makes an entrance as further rhythm is added. Another lead line, this time on acoustic guitar (courtesy of Christoph Rinke) is a welcome introduction and sounded like a cross between Robert Schroeder and Daley & Lorien. What a superb melodic track this is.

'Planet Audio' like the earlier 'Edge of Reality' has a brooding atmospheric beginning. More radio style samples, this time on a cosmic theme and a steady rhythm become the main focuses of the track. 'Retropolis' increases the pace, its energy erupting from the speakers. 'Pibgorn' is also rhythmic but a lot subtler with breezy flute layered over the top. The pace is, oh so slowly, increased as we progress creating that hint of tension. 'See- Not Have' is a gentle track with soft pads and touches of piano. In the second minute some 'squelchy' rhythms start to form which are then joined by more strident ones, developing into quite a groove with nice contrasted acoustic guitar melodies. This groove becomes even more insistent and foot tapping after the half way mark. It is really quite an optimistic track. This sense of optimism doesn't last however as we end with 'Noosphere' which turns out to be quite a dark atmospheric number.

To sum up I would say that, amazingly, Rainbow Serpent have managed to use modern production techniques to give the overall sound a contemporary touch but still maintain an organic feel so evident on many of their previous albums. (DL)

Dave Law, 2005