ATEM

Last album prior to the explosion of artistic achievement reached in Phaedra. It is better not to consider Phaedra as a comparison pattern; one should consider Atem as a clear evolution after the dark, intense; although almost impossible to get into Zeit. Now music is clear, some of the instruments and lots of musicians are out of the band, but I cannot consider this the reason for this album to be not so dark; this condition happens due to what is in the mind of Edgar Froese at the composing moments for this album.

The first minutes of the opener track signs with new subtle distinctions that signs the road of what is up to come in Phaedra. Unfortunately I only got to feel it as small nuances, the rest of the album sounds closer and closer to the mysterious abysms of Zeit.. But on the other hand there can be a lot of enjoyment on Atem. At least I got myself much more inside this album than on that prior work. This is for sure not as remarkable as ne next two albums, and stands very distant of being considered a masterpiece. Not even essential I may consider; because if you talk about evolution and great musical achievement a listener should be better succeeded in Phaedra or Rubycon.; but if your intention is to dive into weirdness and experimental music, it is better to move straight and back to Zeit.

So, three strong star for it.