Mortiis
Ghosts Of Europa
Prophecy Productions
Whilst some artists are content to remain stagnant, others are propelled forwards by a restless spirit, and the artist known as Mortiis definitely falls in the latter category. From dark and claustrophobic albums that pioneered dungeon synth to industrial leanings via darkwave and electropop, Mortiis’ career has been characterised by a search for the perfect sound and texture. Ghosts Of Europa is no exception, and whilst echoes of his past can be heard in each of these eight tracks, there’s a sense that Mortiis has his eyes set on the horizon. In fact, the opening (and title) track finds Mortiis emerging into sunlight to deliver a cinematic sound that is vast and expansive and presented in VisaVision. There’s a futuristic bent to tracks like ‘Transcending Morpheus’, whilst ‘Tundra, Heart Of Hell’ muscles its way into Carpenter Brut territory, and even when the retro electronica of Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream are employed on ‘Tribes Of Dystopia’, it feels repurposed and updated for the new millennium. A living and breathing entity, Ghosts Of Europa is undoubtedly the bravest album in a fearless discography, and one that suggests Mortiis has finally found the sound he’s been looking for.
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Review by Peter Dennis.