The Breakdown
With this release the label celebrates the return to the ranks of the founder Worg. A triumphant homecoming comparable to that of Jason, the main character of the Argonautica, who travelled in search of the Golden Fleece (Il Vello d’Oro) aboard the ship Argo. After many vicissitudes, the hero returned to Iolco, his homeland, to reclaim the throne usurped by his half-brother Pelias.
This new chapter in the Lykos saga focuses on the deeds of Jason and the Argonauts, but also on a key figure who was indispensable to the success of this quest, Medea. Thanks to her and her magical skills, the fellowship of heroes succeeded in grabbing the Golden Fleece. Through careful sound design, hinted melodic cells and complex rhythms, Il Piano di Medea by Worg, sums up details and facts related to this extraordinary legend. Starting from the prophecies of the Oracles, to the tragic and bloody ending of the epic poem, which took place with the death of King Pelias by his own daughters, hypnotized and manipulated by Medea’s magic.
The narrative begins with the track Oracolo, characterized by a syncopated groove, nebulous atmospheres and the presence of a dark anthropomorphic synth, which alludes to the solemn, grave and authoritative voice of an entity. A prophetic spirit that warns the listener of the dangers that lurk for those who dare to enter this new sonic adventure.
In order to foretell the future and to spread their word, the gods took possession of the bodies of priests who had fallen into ecstasy, using them as intermediaries. In his reinterpretation of Oracolo, Neel, the grand Maestro of techno, in a similar way uses musical elements such as a harsh and acid bass line or a tight rhythm to lead the listener into a psychic state of suspension and mystical elevation.
In the music piece Il Vello d’Oro, Worg draws attention to the rare preciousness of this magical relic, rumored to have the power to heal all wounds and for this reason longed by Jason. To evoke the purity of the golden mantle, the artist uses shimmering percussion, radiant textures and the omnipresence of an FM synth bass, full of brilliant harmonics. All enhanced by sound details scattered throughout the arrangement.
Eryx, the record’s final track, has a fluid and sinuous flow, with sound elements that recall water, a natural element, protagonist of the Argonauts’ journey to the remote Colchis. A melody echoes in the distance, disappears and resurfaces to then collide, like waves on the rocks, with the complex and jagged rhythms that mark the gradual evolution of the track.
Verdict: Although under the banner of techno ‘Worg’ gives us the driving beats that one would expect, but layers the percussion and mixes things up away from the 4/4 giving more movement to the tracks. Ethereal layers of synth and effects give wonderful ominous undertones and atmosphere to the original compositions as the bass melodies hold the narrative. ‘Neel’ the remix of ‘Oracolo’ resides more in techno stomper territory with its traditional linear bass kick while still retaining the dark undertones of the original. A solid collection of deep atmospheric Tech.
Track List:
- Oracolo (Original Mix)
- Oracolo (Neel Remix)
- Il Vello d’Oro (Original Mix)
- Eryx (Original Mix)
Out Now: Il Piano di Medea Ep – LYKOS V | Worg | Lykos Records (bandcamp.com)
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