MASK

Listening to this album after many years I still have the same impression: it's like an electronic version of Carl Orff's Carmina Burana. Surely what the choir sings is not vulgar latin. It's likely neither a language. However we are speaking of a symphony. This won't be the only Vangelis album without track titles. Calling them "movements" is a way to define it as modern symphonic music.

If it wasn't for the rhythm given by the fast sequence of notes that is the base of the whole structure of movement one, I would see a contact with the Estonian genius Arvo Part. Movement 1 has also a quiet and peaceful interlude. As in Heaven and Hell, male choir is used for the chaotic and ossessive parts, while a soprano soloist sings on the lighter and heavenly moments as in the central section of this movement.

Movement 2 is nothing special. Two chords and violins for three repetitive minutes. There are some pitch changes in the two chords, but that's all.

Movement 3 gets darker. a good soundtrack for a horror or a SciFi movie. Symphonic and dark. The male choir enters after the percussions to stop after a crescendo. Another track with few or no variations. Until the choir restarts.

Movement 4 is opened by percussions and bass. Electronic of course. There's a lot of pseudo-latin singing on this track. Why not true latin I don't know. A very hypnotic and ambient track. Did you think that only Brian Eno was capable of this?

With Movement 5 the chaotic part restarts. As on Movement 1 a fast sequence of notes is the base from which the music developes. First with a percussive accent and changes of pitch in the base. Later the choir enters the arena. Again the parallel with Carmina Burana is not forced.

Movement 6 is peaceful and symphonic and a good closer. It reminds a bit to So Long Ago So Clear (almost the same chords).

Good and actually unusual excursion of Vangelis into the classical realm. Not bad.