Dark Star - Headtrip Mp3

available on archive.org:
http://archive.org/details/Dark_Star-Headtrip

This is yet another group I am glad to see making the break from cassette to CD - and not a moment too soon. Most of you may have heard something by DARK STAR by now - either the thirty second snatch of the SOFT WATCH #2 supplement, or the full- length track on IMPULSE #1, and should by now have the impression that not only the name is taken from the films of John Carpenter, but the music also has a certain sound akin to his creeping, relentless menace. The sound has changed & little here brightening up, it must be said, with the almost hippy guitar of GØTZ ADLER complementing & lightening WOLFGANG REFFERT's electronic-based instrumentation. The album opens with "Ixtlan", a piece built on a simple four note sequence, reminging once more of the music of early Seventies Electronic groups - degrees of TANGERINE DREAM and perhaps more so VANGELIS and a slower JEAN MICHEL JARRE surround this gentle non-beat piece. Next comes "Sparkler" which moves into more familiar DARK STAR territory, yet it's only really the distinctive drum sound - never varying with a crisp snap to the snare - which remains the same. Around this the guitars & electronics swirl in bright, thin, colourful threads, all twisting along to the beat, keeping the atmosphere light. "The Phoenix Asteroides" comes next, again maintaining the thumping, smashing drum beat, yet this track is more minimal, made up almost entirely of synth sounds which cling to the basic framework like colourful decorations to a christmas tree. "Cactus Dance" is a slightly more up-beat-yet-moody piece which reminds me again of film music, yet is a lot lighter than Carperter's usual sound. The drum beat on this track is a little more complex, and the overall structure surprisingly brings RENTAL / LEER's "Day Breaks, Night Heals" to mind (there s a similar chant, way, way back in the mix). "33/4" zooms in on the tail of the previous track, again a bright little piece based on the usual snare/bass/snare/bass. . drum machine - it has a fuzzy guitar sound like a channelled gas escaping under force while various distant sounds - mainly electronic - add to the sound. "Curse" opens with a Reb yell, the precurser for a colourful yet moodily slow piece of music. This track is actually performed by a group called CHAINSAW which consists of WOLFGANG REFFERT along with JOE GIZMO, GLENN HUDSEN & BOB RIES - almost indistinguishable from DARK STAR in sound. Next up comes "P2C2E" which again has a simple drum pattern (although a little less basic than some) over which the instruments play for a regular, rhythmic effect, rather than to create a 'tune', And, having realised the benefits of avoiding any recognizable motif DARK STAR find themselves masters of this style, easily pulling sounds together, and creating a 'feel' as an end result. "The Shadow Warriors" is their attempt at a theme - and it works! They keep the music simple & atmospheric. blended perfectly with the overall body of sound, and come up with a ripping little piece of music - strict tempo electronic Rock. "Desaster Area" keeps the same beat, the sane structure, but blends a lot of other sounds around it - all having the usual culminative effect on the atmosphere - and the title (deliberately mis- spelt?) gives a good description of the sound, which, rather than full of explosive violence, has a feeling that the ghost of some disaster still lurk, giving the sound a mildly chilling feel. The album closes with the title track "Headtrip", harkeriing back to films like "Assault On Precinct 13" - not the plodding, relentlessly oncoming menace sound, but the lighter, cold fanfare sounds - drifting electronics creating a proud yet inhuman tone.
To be honest this is milder than I had expected - they have mellowed with time & their sound seems to have broadened out a little more - they have stamped their own sound out of old, borrowed, although wonderful music. You could listen to hours of this stuff it doesn't have to be familiar - indeed lack of familiarity adds to the chill atmosphere. Suffice to say, it's a treat for those of us who are already addicted to the sound.

Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.