THE SPECTRE WITHIN

The Spectre Within is actually better than its successor, while still being kind of "the same". The only real difference between this album and Deus Ex Machina is that the melodies on this album tend to be really strong. If I'm listening to progressive electronic in the '80s style, then I at least expect some very powerful melodies to get through the cheesy new-agey percussive elements and poppy sound effects, and this album delivers. Among the powerful synth melodies are also a few cosmic-chirping sounds that give the periphery something to notice. The energy on this album in particular reminds me of another electronic artist that I really enjoy (Przemyslaw Rudz) and a group that I don't enjoy quite as much (Software) smashed together, in a strange attempt to mash the old with the new with the cheesy. The mixture doesn't really come through all that well, however. This album still sounds very "the same" compared to a lot of '80s new-age progressive electronic artists that tend to become overlooked. I'd feel safe recommending this to fans of Software and late Tangerine Dream, but if that isn't the type of music that you enjoy then this album can be safely skipped.