Zombi Surface to Air Label: Relapse Release Date: 05/02/06

What I knew about Zombi before listening to their
newest album, Surface To Air, was that they did some
sort of ambient band, on a metal label…. and that’s
it. I had heard and read many good things, but in my
laziness never checked them out. I think I was
expecting cheesy ambient synth work from former metal
dudes, who got sick distortion, and picked up
keyboards. Luckily, I got something totally different
aside from the synth.
 
First of all Zombi is Steve Moore and A.E. Paterra
both playing multiple instruments. Paterra drums and
plays various keyboards, while Steve Moore, plays Bass
and adds his own electronic input. Even with just two
members the sound of Zombi is by no means sparse of
minimal. Instead you get their signature sound of
tense melodies played with closely layered vintage
synth sounds, over punchy electronic bass lines
squeezed through filters, strong syncopated drumming,
over simple supportive bass lines.
 
While Zombi are a unique band, the more I listened,
the more I could hear one more particular influence
shining above the rest. All five tracks on Surface to
Air, give off in someone way or another, a distinct
early 1980’s Rush vibe. Only they opted to remove all
guitar and vocals (so all you people who never got
into Rush because of the vocals, here’s a second
chance.) The Vintage Synthesizer sounds and Neil
Pert-esque offbeat drumming would fit on Moving
Pictures easily.
 
The whole mood of the cd is very desolate and
futuristic, while still sounding dated because of the
analog keyboards. The continuity of the record gives
off that 70’s/80’s concept album vibe. Although it is
hard to confirm if it is a concept album with no
vocals or lyrics. But if I were to guess what this
album is about, I would say it is about a group of
young space explorers searching the universe looking
for new life and planets only to find desolate
landscapes on new planets….

Zombi - Digitalis | mp3 |

This entry was posted on Monday, May 22nd, 2006 at 9:04 am and is filed under CD/LP. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.