Ex_Tension “Desert” (Tympanik Audio)

Artist: Ex_Tension Title: Desert Format: EP Label: Tympanik Audio Genre: Ambient, Electro, Industrial Release date: July 19, 2011

The French Ambient/Industrial act Ex_Tension have been around for awhile. It was created back in 1997. However, the first release didn’t came out until 2004.

“Desert” is actually an EP released back in 2005, something the band released itself, but now being oficially released together with label Tympanik Audio. Ex_Tension tends to to deliver some really great Ambient here blended with great electro. With beautifully mastered soundscapes the atmosphere is stunning as well as the implemented rhythms. The setting is drawn to the darker side and hints a bit with elements from the Industrial genre.

Even if this EP only holds five tracks it is not a small one. The title track is almost 32 minutes (!) long and another track hits the 23-minute mark. For being a project playing around with ambient that much I must say it feels very melodic. The rhythms and the distinct beat is really fitting to the amazing soundscapes in the background.

With “Journey” you get something completely different. If the first track was melodic, this one offer a much more dirtier sound, combining IDM and noise at a more experimental stage. Something the following track also represent in a good way. “Tension 6″ follow the title track in a really good way though it its mearly 5 minutes long.

Included is somekind of remix track, or should I say several remixes of the title track entwined into one. “Desert (According To…)” is a collaboration remix from label mates Access To Arasaka, Totakeke, Zentriert Ins Antlitz, Geomatic and Sonic Area. A great diversity but still it feels like one and the band have really succeeded to keep the core feeling of the track. Very entertaining.

I must say that I with the title track and its 30+ minutes actually enjoyed it a lot. The sound’s interesting enough and I really didn’t noticed it was that long until I’ve passed more then half of it. Very soothing with a great intensity. However, the rest of the tracks, except “Tension 6″ feel more difficult to understand and the contrast to the title track is to big as they definately doesn’t go hand in hand.

Tracklist:

01. Desert
02. Journey
03. Aura
04. Tension 6
05. Desert (According To…)