ambient / electronic
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Apex is the debut album of Merrin Karras, the newest moniker of Irish electronics-addict Brendan Gregoriy. Gregoriy has been Chymera since 2002, internationally renowned in the techno/house scene. During the production of the last Chymera full album, he felt that it was time to try out something entirely different. Not limited by deadlines or the necessity to make the album dancefloor-proof, he took the time to get every single sound just right.
Apex sounds a bit like the logbook of an explorer. Gregoriy says that it took him two winters to make it, following his heart and without actually knowing that it would become an album. In the meantime, he started digging deeper and deeper into the world of synthesizers, encountering its pioneers (Klaus Schulze, Michael Hoenig) and its contemporary composers (Abul Mogard, Steve Moore). Another influence is clearly present: Biosphere.
With the knowledge of this making-of, you can figure out why there's quite some difference between the tracks. 'Catharsis', 'Elevate', 'Liberant' and 'Apex' sound more influenced by the latter artist than the rest of the album. 'Void' and 'Severance' are jewels of building-up experimental dronescapes, whereas 'The Veldt' and 'Isolation' in my opinion sound like a tribute to the old masters of the synth. But maybe I shouldn't try to put every track in a box, because every listen reveals new sounds and my appreciation of the album only grows.
Can you imagine how bloody awesome Apex sounds for a tenacious Biosphere fan who's also just started exploring the world of synths? Very bloody awesome, I can tell you. My favourite track is 'Severance' and I've read that on his next album, Gregoriy is planning to take the whole more in that organic direction. Even though I'm already looking forward to that album, I hope that he can continue to take all the time he needs for it. Because that, I believe, is the strength of Apex.
Eline
Apex sounds a bit like the logbook of an explorer. Gregoriy says that it took him two winters to make it, following his heart and without actually knowing that it would become an album. In the meantime, he started digging deeper and deeper into the world of synthesizers, encountering its pioneers (Klaus Schulze, Michael Hoenig) and its contemporary composers (Abul Mogard, Steve Moore). Another influence is clearly present: Biosphere.
With the knowledge of this making-of, you can figure out why there's quite some difference between the tracks. 'Catharsis', 'Elevate', 'Liberant' and 'Apex' sound more influenced by the latter artist than the rest of the album. 'Void' and 'Severance' are jewels of building-up experimental dronescapes, whereas 'The Veldt' and 'Isolation' in my opinion sound like a tribute to the old masters of the synth. But maybe I shouldn't try to put every track in a box, because every listen reveals new sounds and my appreciation of the album only grows.
Can you imagine how bloody awesome Apex sounds for a tenacious Biosphere fan who's also just started exploring the world of synths? Very bloody awesome, I can tell you. My favourite track is 'Severance' and I've read that on his next album, Gregoriy is planning to take the whole more in that organic direction. Even though I'm already looking forward to that album, I hope that he can continue to take all the time he needs for it. Because that, I believe, is the strength of Apex.
Eline
