Serpent Column Portal (2009)
Swedish TWZ has launched a 6th album. From start on this band has tried to mix dark electronics with a few more influences and the ambient genre is definitely one of them. I can’t really affirm that “Serpent Column Portal” sounds like an offspring between both genres, but there’s an atmospheric mist hanging over most of the songs. It brings an extremely dark and I dare to say a black mood to this release. This is a kind of nebulous EBM although the electronic style is less heavy than on “Evolution”. This way I might affirm that the ambient input has been more to the forefront of this album. “Serpent Column Portal” sounds like taking some distance with the dancefloors while explores rhythmic electro-ambient fields. The title song somewhere in the midst of the tracklist is a remarkable exposure of this mix. TWZ has been more focalized on orchestral arrangements, repetitive sequences, distorted ghost vocals or yet poignant atmospheres instead of danceable cuts. Tracks like “The 5th Night, The 6th Day” and “Koyaanisqatsi” are both cool ambassadors of this dark electronic exploration. This album brings some diversity to the mainly dark electro-like roaster of Advoxya Records. I just regret the poor artwork of this album with less contrast in the colors. Serpent Column Portal (2009)
The Swedish mystic Dark Electro-attack T.W.Z. strikes back after its latest album ”Evolution”, also released by Advoxya Records 1,5 years before. In the meantime there have happened some massive internal problems with the band members and the upcoming stylistically direction of this project, so that nowadays only Richard K. Szabo is responsible for all music- and business-related decisions. Musically this has left some influence on the new tracks of T.W.Z. Dedicated to the well-known author and visionary Carl Sagan, who passed in 1996, and his ”The Lost Civilization” theories, ”Serpent Column Portal” offers several more breeding sweep sounds, orchestral layers and a sicker ominous mood than ever discovered before. As we know, T.W.Z. has a preference for high developed cultures like the Maya or Eschaton theories, which went down to transform those sagas and science into the present with a negative impact on mankind – also this album is filled with this mysterious and scientific content. Still arranged under a solid kick and snare work, the tracks itself are again straight-oriented and forward-moving, the often described hypnotic bass line programming remains to be the trademark to this project. What’s new is the integrated diversity in the usage of the main vocals. Richard’s extremely abrasive vocal performance got more often fx-penetrated than before, and stands no longer that obviously in the foreground of the mix, though that fx-usage does not completely convince (”Drown Them All” could be considered). Female co-vocals provided by SOLSKUGGA on three, and DEATH IN BERLIN on one track are standing for another development worth to mention. Also new is the concentration to offer more and more different snare- and hi-hat sounds, as well as theusage of a generally more low-fi oriented sound design – let’s assume, that VST-technique has helped globally on the whole mix.As usual and as a repetitive procedure, albums of T.W.Z. aren’t at all a form of easy-listening and may need 3 – 4 spins more to find a satisfying consumption. Also as usual – this stuff is worth to invest the time.
Serpent Column Portal (2009)
...T.W.Z.-album still is full of fast and harsh beats, but Szabo adds threats, mysticism, orchestral-, psy- and goa-influences. On top of that there are the typical distorted vocals, which sound cruel, powerful and agressive. 'Serpent Column Portal' kicks off with an ambient-like orchestral passage. But track two shows a tremendous blow. Heavy beats, a somewhat military edge and some uncomfortable synths make the vulcano puke the lava. In 'Drown Them All' the title says what it means, but the melody is a bit milder. In fact, it is a rather easy going classical song with female vocals. And this is the way the album goes: never expect the same thing, because of the bizar soundchoices and combinations Richard Szabo gets out of his magical machines. It isn't all that danceable as it looks, but there are some nice noises to be discovered.Evolution (2008)
The snatching and brutal distorted vocals by band leader Richard are a synonym for the often heard Hellectro-like pseudo-aggression, but musically they luckily avoid any Techno-/Trance-related outfit. TWZ still create through their bass-line-programming a sort of a melodic and I tend to say unique background instrumental scenario. The listener gets rewarded with a dark sounding synth arrangements quite different to the usual kind. Evolution (2008)
TWZ here reveals some efficient sound mixed with a dark and carrying lead. Next to the distorted male vocals we here get some excellent female spoken backing vocals. Apart from a terrific last part this album still has much more to offer.It hurts when I breathe (2006)
A new self-released CD of this talented Swedish duo is out now, and – I can say this in advanced – it passes all expectations. Special limited available from their website, this edition looks like a 7 “ vinyl single and features 6 new tracks, 3 remixed and revamped versions plus some various previews. This band has developed a lot since their last CD “B-Sides 0” and “The Sixth Extinction”. Their songs now go mostly direct from the ears to the brain into the body, they’ve won a more straighter attitude. This CD opens with the title track, an instrumental and dark melodic piece ...