SKOMM. Aztec Challenge. SKOMMCD001
Normally we get a press release with CD's, but occasionally they aren't as helpful as they could be. With this CD we got a scrappy piece of paper with complex hand written maths on one side and a short note asking us to review the music if we liked it. Just to prove that we try to review everything, here are my thoughts about this band. Five people composed it, so I am presuming that they are a five-piece with similarities to the Ozrics but with more of a techno/trance attitude. The opening track, naturally called Introduktion, has fast and furious sections interspersed with quieter reflective moments. The following Glondar definitely has a trance beat, but it's certainly not bland Euro-trance. I could detect my head nodding gently in sympathy with the beat, but at my age actions like that should be frowned at! It's pointless adding lyrics to instrumentals that are so good. The next offering is deeper and more bass heavy and yet still finds slots to insert those Ozric Tentacles style riffs. I like their version of the genre where softer moments appear yet the beat and rhythm still pound with intensity. On Zambiaflyt, the mean bass sets the scene, yet the beat is very dance friendly. Most of the tracks are quite lengthy (around 8 min) including DeLaVega Forms which again has a robust beat that provides plenty of space for the other melodies and weird noises to prevent it going soft. A reliable test of whether a record is good or bad is how many times you have glanced at the clock and I am now listening to the final track Gommssirius without noticing the time! The music naturally seems to flow from one track to another as though it's all part of a greater journey. Aztec Challenge on the whole engenders a positive beat and rhythm that will stand up against competitors and I have difficulty in finding fault with these six instrumentals. So easy to overlook, but please give them a chance, as this is a lot better than you probably imagine.