Lets start with the booklet, - surely the most pseudo-philosophical, wordy, convoluted, up-itself piece of turgid gobbledegook ever written for a record cover (yes, its German) and that is really saying something.

I was hoping for a mix of contemporary styles but, without exception, the music is as humourless and inhuman as the booklet notes. Its basically the same old post-serial insect-music of the past 60 years, only these insects are metallic rather than flesh and blood. There's a lot of portentousness and pretension, but zero emotional content. And whilst five different composers are represented, you wouldn't know that from the uniformity of the music.

I can't really criticise the performances - the sounds the performers make are aurally fascinating and the performances are only as emotionally inert as the music.

As I said, there are some interesting sounds and the recording ensures that they are mightily impressive (phenomenally striking percussion (forgive the pun)), crystal clear and wide ranging. Dynamics are amazing. However, none of it sounds natural, - this is a multi-miked, skilfully mixed presentation which would not be as impressive in real life. If you're into great sound and aren't too concerned about substance, it'd make a good demo disc.

Lets start with the booklet, - surely the most pseudo-philosophical, wordy, convoluted, up-itself piece of turgid gobbledegook ever written for a record cover (yes, its German) and that is really saying something. I was hoping for a mix of contemporary styles but, without exception, the music is as humourless and inhuman as the booklet notes. It's basically the same old post-serial insect-music of the past 60 years, only these insects are metallic rather than flesh and blood. There's a lot of portentousness and pretension, but zero emotional content. And whilst five different composers are represented, you wouldn't know that from the uniformity of the music.

I can't really criticise the performances - the sounds the performers make are aurally fascinating and the performances are only as emotionally inert as the music.

As I said, there are some interesting sounds and the recording ensures that they are mightily impressive (phenomenally striking percussion (forgive the pun)), crystal clear and wide ranging. Dynamics are amazing. However, none of it sounds natural, - this is a multi-miked, skilfully mixed presentation which would not be as impressive in real life. If you're into great sound and aren't too concerned about substance, it'd make a good demo disc.