synapscape. now. cd. ant-zen act217

tracklist: hormona, tale, hint, relate, espionage, 10 seconds, blades, bodies, flame, bend sinister, clouds, constraints.

with their sixth full length album synapscape (t.kniep and p.münch) continue and evolve what they started twelve years ago: powerful and versatile explorations in sound, rhythm and ambience.

this release is unmistakably synapscape - distorted polyrhythmic beats meet atonal synth tones, kniep's strange lyrics (coupled with his haunting alienated voice that is offset with various effects), and constant rhythmic changes (while the metric speed is kept). however, there is a readiness for experiments - thus they avoid turning a trademark into a corset.

synapscape's open mindedness to the electronic art combined with their ability to integrate characteristics of breakbeat, electronica and experimental music results (as usual) in a fascinating, unique sonic exploration. the possibilities are infinite as their producing was, is, and will be.

this is where they are now - another landmark in contemporary industrial music.

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also available:
ikon71. synapscape. now & then. t-shirt
olive t-shirt w/ frontprint in black & white ink / backprint in black
available sizes: s, m, l, xl, one-sized girlie-shirt

reviews:

der medienkonverter
Ein Jahr nach dem Split-Album mit Asche und zwei Jahre nach dem letzten Longplayer "Act!" wagen Synapscape einen erneuten Angriff mit "Now". Tim Kniep und Philipp Münch präsentieren wieder einmal ihre zwiespältige Symbiose aus harschen, basslastigen Tracks und mehr sphärischen Songs. Das Bielefelder Duo, das unter anderem auch für seine Wortkargheit bei Album- und Songtiteln bekannt ist, zeigt schon beim Opener "Hormona", wie es sich wieder einmal neu definiert: Breakbeats und spielerische, aber leicht melancholische Synthies. Das folgende "Tale" intoniert dann Tim Knieps verzerrte Vocals. Der Track an sich ist sehr trocken, fast gänzlich ohne Melodie. Ganz anders "Hint", das wieder mit sentimentaler Melodie und Brealbeats der ruhenden Unruhe frönt. Mit "Relate" tritt das erste Bassmonster auf den Plan. Zum dröhnenden Wummern gesellt sich hier wieder Herrn Knieps gehaucht-geschrieener Sprechgesang.
Bei "10 Seconds" braucht es keine zehn Sekunden, bis einem der Kopf dröhnt. Schräge Melodie und pulsierender Bass wirken wie eine Droge, die einen in Trance versetzt. Gut, dass "Blades" einen aus diesem Trancezustand wieder herausreißt. Brachialer Bass und oszillierende, mal dumpfe, mal hohe Töne und ein Ambient-artiger Hintergrund wirken regelrecht virulent. Ein etwas experimenteller Song wie "Bend Sinister" wirkt da schon etwas deplatziert, weil viel zu ruhig. Gerade, wenn davor ein Song wie "Flame" alles andere als Ruhe verbreitet. Synapscapes Schizophrenie ist einfach herrlich, die Kombination aus Aggressivität und Ruhe perfekt umgesetzt. Genau das, was man von dem Duo erwartet. Eine Konstante Weiterentwicklung, die hoffentlich noch lange kein Ende hat.

chain d.l.k.
one of the veteran acts signed to world-wide renowned ant-zen label returns with its sixth full-length album (without counting their various collaborations in between...): synapscape, hailing out of bielefeld, germany. and what has started 12 years before, finds once again a remarkable and unique continuation. tim kniep and phillip münch have produced 13 remarkable tracks (okay, only 12 tracks although the art lists 13 tracks...) reflecting different influences, while still remaining their own authentic style. already the opening instrumental tune "hormona" takes influences out of electronica and idm-influences, while only offering a slight distorted outfit. the speed to offer the best possibilities for some dancefloor action is richly given with tracks like "tale", "relate", "blades" and most of all "bodies". besides the heavily use of polyrhythmic distortion elements and strange manipulated synth texture, all of these pieces feature tim kniep's alienated and distorted vocals - the fact that they like to integrate the factor "human" to their music makes them even more unique. this is welcomed and a side-kick to all related and mostly instrumental-producing powernoise-acts offering repetitions. the track "espionage" then deals with some dark ambient influences by using ominous and atonal synth textures, another remarkable piece. although that synapscape have lost through their long career a bit of aggression of their early works, this release still holds a lot of hard cakes to bite. but besides all this, it still gives a lecture to acts producing the repetitive harsh ebm formula featuring annoying voice-samples and a loop-based kind of work. thumbs up once again for the prove that powernoise can be diverse but also intelligent and attractive.

gothtronic
Synapscape has remained a constant factor in the underground music scene since they started all the way back in 1995, when few people had even heard about industrial music, let alone that they liked it. A lot of albums and side projects later they return once again with “Now” The new album consist of 12 tracks that have the very recognizable Synapscape sound, but are also showing a slow movement towards a new kind of sonic exploration. This time the focus seems to be shifting more towards creating a dark and haunting atmosphere and less about the actual beats and rhythms. The breakbeats, bassdrums, noise and the characteristic use of vocals are all still there, but I noticed a lot more atmosphere and soundscapes going on in the background.
The first track “hormona” immediately brings forth this new evolvement. The track is build around a slowly evolving soundscape on top of which industrials beats and distorted sounds are being layered. The second track continues this sound but descents down into the darkness being led by haunting lyrics and some powerful beats. This path goes on for the following songs but take’s a halt at the fifth track. Breaking from the rhythms and beats and concentrating on slow mechanical drones and noise alternated with some light percussive elements to form a gloomy soundscape. After this short stop the industrial rhythms immediately take things over again but the dark and dampening atmosphere stays, luring in the background, taking every chance to grab and take you on a dark and sinister ride through harsh sonic world of Synapscape. Special mention goes out to the ninth track “bodies”, which has f***ing amazing kickdrum leading the track into an insane explosion of raw power and anarchy. Definitely my favourite track of the album and one I look forward to hearing in a club, or better yet, being played live by Synapscape themselves. After this a well timed slow and frightening rhythmic soundscape once again brings you back on your feat again. The album then finishes off nicely with another two rhythmic industrial tracks build from the same various elements that make up the other tracks of the album.
With “Now” Synapscape has once again delivered a fine example of why they still belong at the top of the industrial scene. Although you will not find a completely new and different Synapscape on this album, the subtle influence of the dark and haunting sound throughout the tracks sounds give a nice injection of some extra atmosphere and a fresh hook to the industrial beats and rhythms. The last Synapscape album “Act!” and the split album with Asche, which, although they are both fine releases, didn’t really get my attention that much and are certainly not my favourites. “Now” however, has renewed my interest for Synapscape once again and I recommend it to everyone who likes experimental electronics and rhythmic industrial with a touch of darkness. If you already know and like Synapscape, than you can buy this album without even listening to it. Get it “now” :)

powermetal
Synapscape è un moniker abbastanza famoso in campo Power/Rhythmic noise grazie ad una serie di ottimi album dove ritmiche ossessive e distorte davano spazio anche a voci assolutamente inumane e distorte, caratteristica rara nel genere e più vicina al Power electronics. “Now” è il nuovo lavoro del gruppo caratterizzato da una musica oscura più atmosferica e evocativa, anche se comunque attinente al genere, forse più matura. Un viaggio onirico ci accompagna per tutto l’album strutturato tramite breaks, distorsioni e atmosfere melliflue con voci in lontananza, mentre in alcuni brani fa la sua comparsa l’oscura voce dell’odio, non sono estranei nemmeno momenti ben congegnati al limite dell’IDM.
“Tale” è narrata da una voce malvagia mentre un vortice sonoro ci trascina tra rottami e venti radioattivi grazie ai ritmi sincopati e ai suoni metallici, che ci accoglie dopo l’introduzione al vetriolo di “Hormona”; la voce oscura torna in “Release” con il suo mantra ipnotico tanto quanto i Beat centrifugati e i duri colpi industriali di drum machine.
L’oscura cacofonia ritmata continua imperterrita per tutto l’album con brani strumentali e altri in cui compare la voce, la parola Rhythmic noise rappresenta perfettamente l’album in quanto ci troviamo di fronte ad uno dei più bei album del genere, rumore con ritmi e cognizione di causa e che evita la monotonia tipica del genere grazie alle variazioni e alle atmosfere a volte Ambient, nonché al già ampiamente citato uso delle voci.
Insomma un ottimo lavoro che a mio parere ogni amante dell’elettronica complessa e oscura dovrebbe avere in quanto mischia il Power noise con l'electro-industrial conducendoci in un viaggio dantesco, non fatelo scappare questa è musica raffinata e allo stesso tempo corrotta, un viaggio nei sogni di un oscuro golem moderno fatto di residui, frammenti industriali, cemento armato.

vital weekly 601
Talking about Power Noise and Ant-Zen Recordings one of the true legends behind this scene, German project Synapscape, is now ready with their sixth full length. The energetic level remains the same twelve years after the brains behind the project, Philipp Münch and Tim Kniep began their sonic explorations on the self-titled debut album "Synapscape". Opening with the electro-inspired atmospheric track "Low secret dreams", the album sends the listener into the world as we know it from Synapscape: Rhythm textures ranging from complex to straight upfront beat blasts accompanied by distorted vocals of extreme aggression. The strength of the project is the ability to create a structure in the noisy chaos thanks to some very catchy polyrhythmic beats creating a nice sonic architecture in the otherwise chaotic noise territories of atonal synth layers. Yet another fine release by the maestros of Power Noise.

IkEcht
Met Now presenteert de Duitse band Synapscape een nieuw album. Een korte kijk naar hun discografie leert dat het al hun zoveelste is en deze band spuwt dat ook al sinds 1995 de ene na de andere plaat uit. En al die tijd zitten ze al op het label Ant-Zen. Voor de liefhebber van IDM en ritmische noise zal dit een bekend label zijn waarop vele andere grote namen in dit veld releases hebben gehad (denk Telepherique, Merzbow, P.A.L., Maeror Tri, Aube of Morgenstern, om maar eens wat te noemen).
En ritmische noise en IDM is exact wat je krijgt. Het album opent met een sterk IDM nummer, "Hormona". Als je niet beter weet zou je denken dat je Aphex Twin hoort. Uit andere recensies heb ik mogen opmaken dat dit een wat nieuwere richting in hun geluid zou zijn. Eén die ze volgens mij dan goed beheersen. Maar daarna is het toch vooral ritmische noise, niet unlike Morgenstern. Er wordt ook nog wat breakcore a la Venetian Snares ingegooid met "Clouds". Al met al een sterk en erg prettig album voor zij die van donkere ritmische noise houden. Ik kende de band nog niet maar vind het zeker iets om in de gaten te houden.
Songsoverruins

Synapscape, oftewel Tim Kniep en Philipp Münch die al jaren albums uitbrengen bij Ant-Zen en je zou bijna zeggen het geluid van dit label mede vorm hebben gegeven. Ritmische noise, verbazend vervormde vocalen en IDM de drie termen die altijd weer het eerste in mij opkomen bij deze act.
En dat brengen ze dan ook weer, al klinkt opener "hormona" verbazend weinig noisy, dat komt daarna weer goed. En toch, de vernieuwing blijft er ook in zitten, het is niet zo dat dit album niet verschilt van de voorgangers.
Is dit nou beter of minder goed dan "Act!"? Nou dat vind ik erg lastig te zeggen. Het zijn hoe dan ook goede nummers, maar ja dat bracht "Act!" ook. Het is weer net zo onweerstaanbaar, maar ook net zo afstotend. Bepaald geen muziek om dagelijks op te zetten, maar wel muziek die het zo af en toe erg goed kan doen. Om je toch al in de war zijnde hoofd helemaal op het verkeerde pad te zetten met op hetzelfde tempo steeds andere ritmes die over je heen komen. Met een stem die zo wezensvreemd is dat je gaat twijfelen of dit wel echt is. Geen rust, totdat de speler stopt met het draaien van het schijfje na zo'n ruime 50 minuten.
Oftewel Synapscape is terug in haar eigen stijl. De Bielefelders hebben weer een verbazend werkje neergezet, dat je echt de tijd moet geven om op je in te werken. Maar dan heb je ook weer een erg leuk stukje ritmische herrie.
IkEcht

Elegy Iberica
Assim como insinua as ilustrações do CD, temos aqui uma visita ao parque de diversões, onde se tem, a depender do gosto particular, oscilações sensoriais boas ou más. “Now” é o sexto álbum deste referencial e surpreendente projecto germânico, que segue a evoluir há mais de 12 anos. Tim Kniep e Philipp Muench navegam também por mares de IDM, EBM, Dark Ambient e Break Beat, demonstrando assim a imensa versatilidade; adjectivo que, em última analise, é a marca registrada de Synaspcape. Editado pela Ant-Zen, o CD traz uma dúzia de experimentações sonoras ricas em ritmos, infinitas texturas e múltiplos efeitos. Provavelmente as músicas em que os vocais distorcidos aparecem, como em “10 Seconds”, possam ser mais afáveis; entretanto o habilidoso duo alemão faz prova real que o Noise pode não ser aborrecido.

Sonic Seducer
Ohne hiermit Stagnationsgerüchte streuen zu wollen: Auf dem sechsten Longplayer "Now" klingen Synapscape wie Synapscape in Reinkultur. Zweifel an der Urheberschaft der polyrhythmischen Beatungeheuer kommen erst gar nicht auf. Dafür haben die Bielefelder lange genug am eigenen Sound geschliffen. Neben klar auf die Tanzfläche zielenden Tracks platzieren die beiden jedoch auch weit mehr als nur eine atmosphärisch dichte Nummer, bei der Tim zum Mikro greifen kann und eine von ihm gar nicht gern gesehene Ähnlichkeit zu frühen Skinny Puppy an den Tag legt. Im Wechselspiel zwischen Distortiongewitter und Mut zu ruhigeren Tracks liegt klar der Vorsprung, der Synapscape vor viele ihrer musikalischen Kollegen katapultiert.
Willkommen auf Achterbahnfahrt durch Hirn und Tanzbein.

Ritual
Passano gli anni, i progetti paralleli e le sperimentazioni, ma il suono di Synapscape si autorigenera all'infinito. Philipp Münch e Tim Kniep rimangono fedeli al loro rhythmic perennemente noise, agli obliqui squarci ambientali e agli inserti sintetici. I feedback corrosivi accompagnano le liriche dannate, scagliate senza pietà su uno scenario terrificante, enfatizzato dal ritmo lento e viziosamente alterato, interessante nelle variazioni ambient tech. Per chi non ne mai abbastanza.

Orkus
Jetzt, 2007, gewohnt zuverlässig: Synapscape mit einer wie üblich undefinierbaren, typisch untypischen Industrial Electronics-Platte. Now besticht durch einmal mehr hohe Experimentierfreude der beiden Musiker, deren Spektrum weit aus dem üblichen Industrial Noise-Bereich hinausgeht. Klangforscher wie Synapscape finden immer neue Effekte, Töne; und durch die Verspieltheit ist Now - wie alle seine Vorgänger - eine Entdeckungsrteise in die elektronische Musikwelt, eine Werkschau der Absonderlichkeiten, jedoch gediegen und konservativ genug dargeboten, um nicht als "abgedreht" bezeichnet werden zu können. Zwölf mal intelligente und spannende Kunststunde der Herren Münch und Kniep, deren Arbeit schon immer etwas Besonderes war und auch noch lange bleiben wird.

a review in russian language can be found on the machinist's website:
machinistmusic