Enigmatic Sound Machine Imperfect Silence Progressive Voyages Review PV025
Enigmatic Sound Machine- Progressive Voyages Review PV025
Enigmatic Sound Machine released their 3rd album
Imperfect Silence recently (1st August) via Prog Rock Essentials there is a link at the end of this review.
The album consists of 8 new tracks with considerably more emphasis on Progressive Soundscapes and textures,
Enigmatic Sound Machine ( ESM) are mostly a duo of Thomas Szirmsay who is a longstanding Musicologist and Jeremie Arrobas who was lead singer for Men Without Hats (Safety Dance was their off kilter world wide hit single in 1982).
Since those days Thomas and Jeremie have worked together as Enigmatic Sound Machine releasing albums Telepathic Waves (2023) and The Hierarchies Of Angels (2024), Although these 2 earlier albums were of a more Electronic style, this latest album is Far more Progressive Rock focused in style.
The album commences with a variation in name of it’s title track, In Perfect Silence which is an instrumental track which inevitably (as most prog rock albums do) begins with keyboard sounds before a gentle and uncomplicated melody line is added to and a counterpoint melody is introduced, this is all very delicate and simple even although to be fair it does develop as the track continues, this track shows what ESM can offer.
Next we have The Distance Between Here And Now which is a longer track of a more atmospheric nature, this one features Rob Harrison of Z Machine on flute and saxophone, the vocals have a definite Pink Floyd touch to them, I like this track a distinctly expansive and open sound. It certainly makes a strong impression as you listen. The saxophone adds texture to the track overall it’s a fine song.
House Of Shadows follows and again this is another good track, I like that ESM are not afraid to keep it simple in the sounds, you can hear the guitar in the mix but its subtle and not calling out for much attention it is there for colour really. The song seems to be about someone who is gone and all that remains are the memories of them now.
Wrapped In Black is next this one has a strong touch of the 1980’s about it, with a strong drumbeat and a plantation vocal line, the guitar is more upfront here, again the saxophone makes itself known decisively another slow burning moody track all told.
Haunted is next, again a minimalist sound of sparse drumbeat and simple keyboards, this one has great guitar fills throughout that are very pleasing, there are great sounds in this track, I especially like the guitar links that add texture.
Hallow is up next which has significant Peter Gabriel touches to its sound especially the chorus, which is very strong and effectively employed, Rob Harrisons saxophone makes a strong impact on this track too, definite winner here.
Then we have Endless Beginning once again we have a sparseness in the sound of the track and also some great dynamics that make you take notice!
The albums final track is also its longest at 9:58 in length it is entitled Red Forest and is another instrumental, in esse6what this albums has are instrumentals both to begin and conclude with six songs between each end, this is a little unusual but works for ESM, this final piece is lengthy and also subtle, I detect elements of the likes of Tangerine Dream in this track, with its steady evolving sound, good use of keyboards to evoke sounds and use of natural sounds (birdsong?) Are sparingly utilized and most effectively employed and the guitar power chords add a distinct dynamic, the voiceover at the end draws everything together well too.
There is much to appreciate in this album of mood pieces and oblique meaning to the songs and interesting and unusual sound, the vocals are both strong and clear the whole album sounds very fine indeed. Even if a little minimalist and simple in places.
It’s on Bandcamp so you can listen there for yourself.
Info here: www.enigmaticsoundmachines.bandcamp.com
Author John Wenlock-Smith