Dark and symphonic Vangelis from his brief mid-80s period of pushing the boat out a bit, releasing more experimental but always compelling records.
Like its predecessor Soil Festivities (link below), the only track titles on Mask are numbered Movements - six of them here - and appropriately so, for a more classically-minded suite. The ten-minute opener sets the mood of high drama, in sweeping minor key strokes with a dazzling sequencer pattern rattling along. Lots of vocals here and throughout, with a choir chanting pseudo-Latin phonemes. Movement 2 offers a bit of gentle respite before Movement 3 blasts back into the darkness, with particularly effective percussion and a brief calmer interlude with piano.
Into the album's second half, and a tuned percussion motif that made me think of Security-era Peter Gabriel underpins Movement 4 as the choir responds to a solo vocalist. The lengthy Movement 5 returns to the dizzying sequencer runs of the first track, then the gorgeous finale gives the most focus to Vangelis' classic synth palette. Wonderful, exhilarating music that's ambitious and enjoyable in equal measures.
pw: sgtg
Previously posted at SGTG:
L'apocalypse Des Animaux
L'apocalypse Des Animaux
One his best compositions - hits that rarely gets a mention is "Fire dance" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcRS6himeeU
ReplyDeleteJohn
Finally its nice to read someones appreciate for one of Vangelis's underrated masterpieces. Everyone raves Blade Runner, Chariots etc but this one is mystical deep and just powerful music. The dynamics Vangelis can conjure on synthesizers and percussion with a helping of choir is stunning. No one composes like this man no one.
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