Silent Season

ATHEUS - Compile cd

Samples

Reviews

The latest release from Vancouver Island's Silent Season imprint, "Compile," collects ten compostions (nine previously available as vinyl-only releases) in CD form from Montreal's Serge Collin under his ATHEUS moniker.

Unlike the compositions on 2009's "Soundscape & Drones" that swayed through the ambient and drone fields of sound, "Compile" reflects mostly on ATHEUS' works in more beat driven sounds, spanning back to 2007.

Pulling from roughly six earlier EPs and 12 inch releases, "Compile" offers the first compilation of ATHEUS' exploration into more ambient and dub techno friendly territory.

The sound of "Compile" is an evaluative look into the percussion and synth driven compositions which focused on intrepreting the classic reach of the dub techno form. Not a single composition on "Compile" is beat-less - every track will drive and guide the listeners through the swirls and controls of a sound that pulls from the classic rhythms of dub. The range of sound is of course broad: subtle and more ambient plays on the sound are found on 2007's "InChain FX" (originally a single sided release), 2008's "Unendlich."

Those looking for more dance-floor friendly take on the dub sound will be pulled into the driving fields on 2010's "Einsatz" and "Dequandrant Redux" - both raise the tempo and work properly within a mix environment. Sitting in the middle position of the disc (and rightfully so) is the standout "Deploy" from 2007's "In Loving Memory 3:4" release shared with the like-minded sounds of Quantec and BVdub. While "Deploy" does not split the sound of the compilation, it does embody the classic sounds of explorative dub techno - controlled, minimal, and layered.

The sounds on "Compile" is clearly formed and sounds dynamic in all regards. The compositions on the release use the clinical building blocks of dub's base layer to explore the more swaying and undefined sound field above. Fans of the classic form will not be dissapointed.

More importantly, "Compile" offers those listeners struggling to compile a collection of ATHEUS' more beat driven sounds the opportunity to enjoy his previously limited pressing vinyl works in compilation form.

The collection of tracks was recently remastered by Anders Peterson of Stockholm's GS Mastering & Post. The end product delivers a strong CD of sounds impacting both within the headphone environment as it does on a proper sound system.
- Jeff Carvalho

Limited to 300 dual slot recycled cd sleeves made from 20pt chipboard and contain 100% Recycled Fibers that FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified. Each cd will be numbered and include a Silent Season sticker.

Mastered by A.P. at GS Mastering & Post

Special thanks to: Serge Collin, Anders Peterson, Dan Anthon and Jamie McCue.