EQUATRONIC - Shadowland
Songs: 13  Time: 48:34
In the past year Zoth Ommog has risen from the ashes and began releasing some top notch material from a wide range of artists.  Shadowland by Equatronic is one of their latest gems.  Whereas the majority of the current Zoth roster is taken up by harder, edgier electronic bands, Equatronic tip the scales in the other direction by releasing a pure synth-pop album.  Shadowland is 13 tracks of pure synth-pop ecstasy.  Catchy, melodic, unique, quirky…Equatronic is all of these and more.  The title of the first track, Nightmare, does not at all represent the style of music.  The music, with its catchy hooks and melodious sequences, is subtly addicting.  It is in Nightmare where we first hear the wide range that Oliver uses in his vocals.  Assistant Views continues along the strict synth-pop path, but adds a certain aquatic element to the music. The lyrics on Follow Your Mind, which deal with the illusionary state of suicide, are dark in nature compared to most of the lyrics within this genre.  Shadowland, which is carried jointly by the lyrics and light sequences, is one of the more mellow pieces on this CD.  The dancier side of Equatronic returns on Late Night Show.  A galloping beat joined with cascading sequences and lush vocals all come together to form one of the best tracks on this disc.  The sequences within Close My Eyes have a music box quality to them, while the beat slowly pumps along behind them.  With a sound that merges sixties ‘do-wop’ with the electro-pop of the nineties, Awake is a very original track.  The style of singing that Oliver chooses on this piece, mixed with the backing vocals give it that sixties feel, while the electronic shoot it straight into modern times.  Shadowland wraps up with Far Away, an entrancing piece with tender vocals and soothing electronic.  As far as synth-pop goes, I am usually rather picky as to what I like and what I believe is mediocre.  Equatronic has my vote as being one of the top notch newcomers to this genre.
 
ZOTH OMMOG                   Equatronic is:
Norsk-Data-Str. 3                  Oliver Thom / Christian Scherer
61352 Bad Homburg             Contact Equatronic @
Germany                                 Postfach 10 22 12
Fax ++49 (0)6172 946 969     D-66312 Volklingen
                                                Germany
                                                e-mail: bubble0001@aol.com