ANGST (OST)

The most remarkable thing about Schulze's second soundtrack is that it only contains short pieces. The longest of the 5 tracks clocks off at 10.15. That aside, there are a number of other features here that make this album hardly sound like a Schulze album. And hardly like a good album in general.

Freeze is a dreamy opener featuring a light sequence of synth vibes and some moody synth voice chords. It is rather different from his 70's work and sounds more composed then the improvisations of old. The result maintains the rich melancholic mood that is so typical in Schulze's works. A good start.

Pain is something else entirely and adds an almost synth pop flavour to Schulze's sound. It starts very captivating and its slow steady beat suggests a change towards a more upbeat continuation. When that happens around minute 4, the result is a bit disappointing. As expected, the beat gets faster but it's not really captivating, it hasn't aged that well and makes the piece rather monotonous.

Memory is a disappointing new age excursion. Typical soundtrack stuff.

Surrender features a slightly industrial beat and synth voices. The combination is weird at first but not totally undeserving. It is the sound of an artist trying to evolve by experimenting with contemporary influences. Not bad but hardly vintage Schulze material.

Beyond sticks closer to the style of the previous 3 albums but it goes by pretty much unnoticed.

Overall, not a very strong album from Klaus and not enough good material for 3 stars. Maybe the bonus on the 2005 reissue adds a star but I'm not planning a purchase any time soon.