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Fog - Lust (ZMA)
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
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2014
Posted : Feb 3, 2006 19:01
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Artist: Fog (also known as Elastic)
Album: Lust
Released: 2006
Label: Zillion Mental Anarchie (ZMA)
Cover: http://212.227.206.198/cgi-bin/zoom.cgi?zma1cd029_b.jpg:CDs/zma/zma1cd029.html:;
Tracklist:
1. Mood Structure (9:03)
2. Never Enough (10:06)
3. Windflower (10:56)
4. Missing (9:20)
5. Lust (11:06)
6. Revive (9:49)
7. Commercial Understanding (8:15)
8. Under Pressure (8:39)
The review:
Achilleas Dimitracopoulos (what a name  ) has produced an album under his Elastic moniker some time back on Yellow Sunshine Explosion. That one was called Air and was a smooth blend of Antix-like progressive and minimal influences. That album was a bit of a medium release, seeing as it was 9 tracks of almost the same groove. To go short: it was ok, but not very interesting. This album however is also by him. Under his Fog moniker he has made two tracks on the 'Breeze' compilation from ZMA a few months back. Now the Fog debut album is released and I can tell you beforehand that this is a lot better than the Elastic album. Let's go through it track by track with some short impressions.
1. Mood Structure: Well, it starts off pretty slow and with some smooth bassline that is a trademark of this guy. It all sounds a lot like an Elastic song, but then around the 6 minute mark a simple melody comes in and makes it a lot more interesting all of a sudden. Good track to get things started.
2. Never Enough: Starts off a bit harder in the kick department and blends in smooth layers of dubstabs. The bassline is warm and groovy. Some subtle pads behind the overall groove round it off. Great percussion as well. Around 4 minutes a female voice comes in and sings a few little phrases. Not too present or shouty, just relaxed. Pretty nicely done. A nice melody completes this track.
3. Windflower: More percussion in this again, the bassline is a little more standard. Nice soft sounds again, coupled with a softly played piano. Not bad. Good track.
4. Missing: The darkest track on the album. It starts with some dark atmospheric sounds and flows into this dark bassline and echoed percussions. At around 4:30 a soft melody starts in the background which rounds this track off really well. I especially like the echoed sounds around 7,8 minutes. One of the best tracks.
5. Lust: We come to the title track. As you can see on the cover the word Lust is explained there. The cover is a lot like this song, smooth and sexy  There isn't really much to be said about this track. It sounds a lot like track 1, only some different sounds a different bassline. A standard Fog track, sounding much like the two tracks on the Breeze compilation. The longest track on here, it somehow manages not to get boring. Nice work.
6. Revive: A different bassline and some more dub stabs make sure you're listening to Fog alright  Trademark track for this guy, very floaty with the dreamy sounds. Fits in well.
7. Commercial Understanding: Sounds a lot like previous tracks again, a little faster maybe. The piano is back again, this time a bit more present. Good bassline here, funky all the way again. Nice echoed sounds again too.
8. Under Pressure: The rhythm is radically different, sounding more like something Luke Chable would come up with. The melody in this one is great again, in the background some saxophone is playing and as strange as it sounds, it all blends in really well. Thumbs up for trying something different at the end of the album and succeeding perfectly. A laidback finisher alright and it's good.
Well, conclusion time then. I think this a great album. You can really hear this guy has learned a lot since his previous release, and in a marvelously short time as well. I for one am excited to think about the things this guy can bring us in the future. The sound in this album is a bit comparable to Antix, but more laidback. The tracks are also really long and that's a plus too for me since I like my progressive tracks long and flowing. This really fits my taste. I'd suggest you take a listen to some samples and if you're even remotely interested in laidback progressive you should check this out! Great release. All the luck to you in the future Achilleas! Thumbs up to ZMA for releasing this and thumbs up to Avi (Spacecat) for some quality mastering as well.
Check samples here:
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/zma/zma1cd029.html
http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=5489
  "Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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pr0fane
Multiphase
Started Topics :
418
Posts :
3816
Posted : Feb 3, 2006 19:50
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Fine review Acidhive, even though I don't really agree
The Elastic album was really good at first - the sound was, like you said, kind of like Antixes sound in the "Lull" days, yet more laidback - but overall it was a mediocre album due to the fact he used the same sounds, ideas and grooves all the way through.
To me this Fog album is not improvement over the Elastic-album. 90% of the sounds, ideas and grooves are pure recycling from the Elastic-album, the tracks seem to stand completely still, and despite a few added vocals and a weak break-beat track in the end of the CD, this leaves me with the same impression as the Elastic-album: too boring in the long run.
Now, don't get me wrong - I really like this guys deep sound, but in my opinion this album just came way too fast. Why on earth release 2 almost similar albums in less than 6 months? DJ pr0fane (Iboga Records) | Multiphase
www.sunrisesupplies.com | www.iboga.dk | www.soundcloud.com/pr0fane |
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
76
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2014
Posted : Feb 3, 2006 21:35
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Quote:
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On 2006-02-03 19:50, pr0fane wrote:
Fine review Acidhive, even though I don't really agree
The Elastic album was really good at first - the sound was, like you said, kind of like Antixes sound in the "Lull" days, yet more laidback - but overall it was a mediocre album due to the fact he used the same sounds, ideas and grooves all the way through.
To me this Fog album is not improvement over the Elastic-album. 90% of the sounds, ideas and grooves are pure recycling from the Elastic-album, the tracks seem to stand completely still, and despite a few added vocals and a weak break-beat track in the end of the CD, this leaves me with the same impression as the Elastic-album: too boring in the long run.
Now, don't get me wrong - I really like this guys deep sound, but in my opinion this album just came way too fast. Why on earth release 2 almost similar albums in less than 6 months?
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Fair enough. But I really think he's moved forward since the Elastic cd. That one was boring in the long run and I've listened this a couple of times since I got it and still haven't gotten tired of it at all. For sure he's using a lot of the same sounds as the Elastic cd, but he's using them better here. Maybe it's fair to add to the review that if you don't own the Elastic album this is more interesting, while if you do own the album it's maybe worth a look if you liked that one.
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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Glen.C (Iboga Rec)
IsraTrance Full Member
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Posted : Feb 7, 2006 00:18
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A.Rosengren
Solid Snake
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266
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4138
Posted : Feb 7, 2006 02:27
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the cover makes me wanna cry... Produced in ibiza?
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aje
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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Posted : Feb 7, 2006 10:50
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Contrary to my expectations,this album is actually pretty cool! I havent heard that elastic CD, just samples, so I dont know if this one sounds the same, but anyways, I just like the overall deep, hypnotic feel here, and I agree with Glen, tracks like Missing have a lot of the Zero Tolerance sound aesthetic that unfortunately kinda came out of fashion.
About everything sounding the same, there is a certain similarity between the tracks, but IMHO not more than usual, definitely not as bad as Gaudium or other recent prog. artist releases. But aside from that, most tracks stand very well by themselves and fit very well into sets.
To sum it up,if you are looking for deep, gentle, smooth, hypnotic prog., look no further, because Fog delviers that. Its not the re-invention of the wheel, but i thoroughly enjoy listening to this CD, and afterall, thats all that counts. Best tracks are 1,3,4 for now, but others are good as well.
About that cover, I think its awesome!!! Better than fractals, thats for sure.
Check out my album: http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/gay-satanic-hippie-tiefenrausch |
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Rui Ferreira
IsraTrance Junior Member
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744
Posted : Feb 7, 2006 14:20
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yes this album is full of simplicity, but it works very well. nice work  |
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kristyandmoe
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
224
Posted : Feb 8, 2006 08:04
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I like this album a lot.
Track 2 could have done without any vocals but otherwise i think this is a strong release and well worth owning. |
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tokyoeye
Started Topics :
5
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120
Posted : Mar 2, 2006 15:00
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@aje
shut up Aje....
And stop to suck.... little trance soldier !
A big fist to your ass from paris !!!
take it easy
Tokyoeye |
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Rui Ferreira
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
43
Posts :
744
Posted : Mar 2, 2006 15:54
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Quote:
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On 2006-03-02 15:00, tokyoeye wrote:
@aje
shut up Aje....
And stop to suck.... little trance soldier !
A big fist to your ass from paris !!!
take it easy
Tokyoeye
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I am with you Tokyoeye! Fuck Nazis |
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----Dawn----
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
789
Posted : Mar 22, 2006 13:34
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Pretty good stuff!
Peace! 
Am i the only one who believes in solipsism? |
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exotic
IsraTrance Full Member
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200
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5057
Posted : Mar 27, 2006 16:19
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i would call this psy fusion meets prog .. i realy dig the elements in most of the tracks .. the title track is a winner
missing plug-in |
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aDaMT
Meltdown
Started Topics :
5
Posts :
32
Posted : Jun 9, 2006 10:17
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Artist: FOG
Title: Lust
Label: ZMA Records
Format: CD
Cat No.: ZMACD029
Released: January, 2006
Release Info: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=5489
Cover Art: http://ip23.dyn181.pacific.net.hk/show/cover.asp?titleID=5489
Track Listing
1. Mood Structure
2. Never Enough
3. Windflower
4. Missing
5. Lust
6. Ravine
7. Commercial Understanding
8. Under Pressure
Review
Lust is the latest album release from one of the leading progressive labels ZMA Records. FOG is Achilleas Dimitrakopoulos also known as Elastic and after his solid 2005 album on Yellow Sunshine Explosion, FOG's "Lust" has taken yet another step forward with an even more mature sound. A deep progressive release, with slowly winding tracks and subtle progressions through the album, this CD is ideal for luring a dancefloor into a deep trance. While hypnotising in nature, the tracks will wind up into energetic peaks to build the vibe through controlled peaks and valleys.
The somewhat contraversial CD cover might be a case of love it or leave it, but it is in theme with the release and certainly demands attention with it's mostly naked chick on the front. I have no doubt the male audience will have no problem with this cover
With deep rolling basslines and precision production, FOG's music also features organic instruments as well as recorded lyrics which creates a feeling of intracate and smooth musicianship. I'll keep the individual track reviews brief, as I think this album is a gem as a whole and is of a specific style, so there's no need to over-analyze every individual track!
The Tracks
1. Mood Structure (129 bpm)
This is a nice smooth opening for things to come. Smooth, deep & in no 'rush', this track develops nicely and has a good hypnotic rhythm.
2. Never Enough (127 bpm)
A couple of bpm slower than the last, but still moving with the same energy. This track again features Fog/Elastic's tight, organic percussion moving this groove along nicely. The female vocal isn't particularily my taste, but it sits in the track reasonably well if you're into this sort of sound.
3. Windflower (126 bpm)
This track has real swing, with a deep bassline, a lot of 'call & response' type feel, this track is definitely hypnotic progressive 'zone' material. Perfect for pacing through those mid afternoon smooth progressive sets.
4. Missing (128 bpm)
Taking a slightly different direction, Missing could be said to be slightly darker than the others so far. With a more minimal feel & a low bassline, this is perhaps also a little more haunted than the previous, probably not quite as 'driving'. I'm thinking good sunset music at a festival!
5. Lust (128 bpm)
The album's title track here, and a very tasty one! Again the hypnotic groove that Fog is so good at, gently builds through the track adding layer upon layer to the mix as it takes form.
6. Ravine (130 bpm)
One of my faves on this album, Ravine is a slight step up in tempo, and in energy. Pushing along this track has a few more raw, twisted and unexpected sounds and stabs etc through the track as opposed to the silky smooth textures of previous tracks. Very nice groove.
7. Commercial Understanding (130 bpm)
Following through with the slighly more moving tracks, this track again has a bit more 'edge' to it. One might even say a bit of electro influence, this track has bounce, still with the Fog flavour, but a more driving track with intense building throughout the piece, very nice! Possibly my fave on the CD.
8. Under Pressure (128 bpm)
Under Pressure winds things back down again. A nice downbeat ambient track to slowly ease out of this trance induced hypnosis and back to reality! I have to say, this is one album where I feel the ever so common downbeat-last-track is well placed and very fitting to the overall album.
Conclusion
Without doubt this CD is best summed up in my opinion as deep, hypnotic progressive. Think nice hypnotic progressive afternoons at big festivals when it hits that 'zone' and stays there. The album follows a journey itself in it's track order and I think this cd is as enjoyable to listen to as it is on the dancefloor at the right time. If you're after energetic uplifting progressive, this is probably not for you, if you're looking for intelligent, subtle winding, hypnotic progressive, don't miss it!
Favourite tracks: 7, 5
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Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
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2014
Posted : Aug 8, 2006 16:34
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Been listening to this some more on my vacation and I must say it gets better with each listen. It's only after a number of playthroughs that you'll fully appreciate this. It's one of those 'grows on you' kind of things. All the tracks are excellent and there's not one track out of place here. Smooth stuff, and for a second album (the Elastic album on YSE being the first) this is a corker indeed.
"Subconscious unravels at the point of death, and all time it has known erupts into a moment. As death extinguishes us, so we become it."
[Esoteric: Subconscious Dissolution Into The Continuum] |
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susan
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
8
Posted : Aug 12, 2006 14:58
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i love this album! one of my favourites for ages..
the cover and the album title suits so much the music -
sexy loungey..... dirty prog at its classiest best.
cheers to FOG- keep going!
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SparksArt/Australia [uv backdrops]
http://www.jansse.com/gallery/SparksArt |
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