Artist.................: The Omega Syndicate
Album................: Sequences, Chords & Leeds
Genre.................: Electronic
Style..................: Berlin School
Year...................: 2005
Codec................: APE
Quality...............: Lossless
Channels............: Stereo
Total Time..........: 71:44 min

Released at the second Omega Syndicate concert at the Awakenings Mini Festival in Leeds on the 10th of June 2005

smd Review:

So titled because they performed their second concert in Leeds. As with the first gig in Leicester they released a limited edition album of just a hundred copies containing all new Berlin School music (though of course not the gig itself) to celebrate the occasion. It is that album I am reviewing here. 'Undercurrent' has a rather quiet beginning with fizzing, twittering electronic effects- how gentle, how lovely- then bash, in steamrolls a rapid metallic sequence with just the right quality of unsubtlety I love about the band. But then what's this- a rather tender lead line? What an excellent combination. The sequence morphs into an even better pattern.

We get a lovely change in the seventh minute where a new sequence stands in isolation twisting this way and that with deep growling bass effects in the background. The original sequence returns to join it accompanied by some exquisite flutey synth over the top. OK, so they can have their delicate moments, but it is all relative, and even more effective when placed in the context of such a sequencer heavy album. More leads come and go, featuring both plucked strings and shimmering crystalline sounds. It all become increasingly intense as more layers are added. Things also seem to be ever so slowly getting faster though this could just be my imagination. The sequences continue to mutate and mix differently together right until about three minutes from the end when a rumbling bass one comes in, all else fading away as it eventually does itself. Some titles do half the reviewers job for them, as with the next number 'Sequencing On A Grand Scale'. A rather tuneful but still rapid swirling sequence starts us off. This is joined by a melodic echoing piano lead line. It is the echo that gives it a rather cosmic feel as each phrase slowly disappears into the ether. Another sequence, even faster than the first falls into formation and the piano departs. Mellotron sounds then come in providing a lovely contrast amongst all the pulsations. The piano returns through which the sequences surge once more but this time with even greater vigour.

These first two tracks were good but they have saved the best to last. 'Mello-Dramatic' is another of those self-descriptive titles and again it sums it up perfectly, as what we have here is an ideal balance between power and beauty. It has a very atmospheric beginning with lonesome flute gently floating from the speakers. In the fourth minute the best sequence on the album so far forces its way to the surface like a steam train first being heard in the distance, gradually getting louder as it gets closer. Its pattern changes as a second bass heavy sequence very slowly rises in the mix to join it. Then a third line of tinkling pulsations nestles perfectly between the first two. Lovely little lead detail is provided in the middle of the mix which draws the attention first this way then that stopping us being completely hypnotised by the cleverly shifting note patterns. Rhythmic flourishes are added at around the half way mark then we get a wonderful lead line higher in the mix. All sequences apart from some percussion depart momentarily in the seventeenth minute giving a chance for the more mellow aspects of the track to be heard once more. They soon surge forwards again however, more and more lead lines being introduced as we get closer to a finish. This is one of their best tracks so far. (DL)

Tracklisting:
1. Undercurrent (25.09)
2. Sequencing On A Grand Scale (20.02)
3. Mello-Dramatic (26.32)