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Sonic Cube - Filter (Tribal Vision Records)

Pasha
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  21
Posts :  260
Posted : Mar 23, 2006 15:41
Yes, this is a very nice prog CD indeed. Yes there are a couple of vocal samples I don't quite dig, they kinda distract me from my feel of the track, but hey, the other ones without them are very very good, and yes - the last track I liked a lot, very nice voice and proffessional work. This is THE prog most of us like, melodic yet driving, the basslines DO work.
Good job!

DeathPosture
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  142
Posts :  547
Posted : Mar 30, 2006 17:15
Sonic Cube - Filter

Cover: http://tinyurl.com/sxlap + http://tinyurl.com/ncf6s

Artist: Sonic Cube (Swizterland)
Title: Filter
Format: CD (jewel case)
Label: Tribal Vision Records (Czech Republic)
Cat. #: TVRCD007
Distribution: Psyshop.net]
Date: February 2006

Track listing:

01. 07’52” Hide
02. 07’35” Last Jedi (feat. Sonnenvakuum)
03. 08’27” Cloud Buster (Album Mix)
04. 08’55” Amnesia
05. 07’21” Test
06. 07’57” Danger
07. 07’35” Microbes
08. 09’09” Xcute
09. 05’31” Astray (feat. Sabrina)

.m3u-playlist: http://tinyurl.com/pc3mm (all tracks!)

Review:

Hands-in-the-air, cocktail trance, cheddar and a broken jedi…

Filter is the second album by the Swiss project Sonic Cube (aka. Sonnenvakuum) which nowadays consists of Daniel Müller & Ueli Schill. (Tobi Wirz left the project to concentrate on his housy Greed-project). Most of the stuff I’ve heard from these guys has been smooth, well-polished progressive house/trance – though a few tracks have had the ever-sought-after-by-me ‘edge’. With this second album I’m hoping we’ll get more of that edge… The fact that it’s released by the very upfront Tribal Vision label would also indicate something totally fresh… Let’s find out…

Let me take you thru the tracks…

#01: Hide [125 BPM]
“When light comes down on me, when darkness shines on you…” The opening track is huuuuuuge! This is majestic stuff - wide span progressive trance with a deep, funky rhythm section and floating, groovy melodic pads… If you were to describe this track with one single word, ‘phat’ would cut it… It’s not edgy, in fact it’s even pretty clubby with the vox and the hands-in-the-air appeal, but somehow it just works wonders… A really nice tune!

#02: Last Jedi (feat. Sonnenvakuum) [134 BPM]
“I have come for the jedi… They are all dead… In search of the jedi... And one broken jedi cannot stop the darkness that is to come.” Haha – what the HELL is up with those Engrish lyrics? What the hell is a broken jedi? Haha! Guys, I dunno what you’re trying to achieve, but those lyrics are downright horrible… And what crazy gimmick is ‘featuring Sonnenvakuum’ anyway? That’s like ‘me featuring myself’! Anyway, the track itself is much faster than the previous afternoon groover… This is stripped down progressive trance without a lot else going on that what we’re used to hearing… Reminds me of Insane Creation or Sensifeel… Not bad at all, but not special either…

#03: Cloud Buster (Album Mix) [135 BPM]
Cloud Buster was released as an EP in late 2005 – it featured a fantastic André Absolut remix which was also on the 2005 Tribal Vision compilation Street Art. But hey, the original is pretty damn fantastic too – this is a monstrous tune… Rich, phat and totally groovy… The thunder FX adds to the overall excitement and this is a certified dancefloor bomb… Very smooth and instantly rewarding!

#04: Amnesia [134 BPM]
Next up is another morning tune with a strong emphasis on tribal percussion and nifty little uplifting melodies… It’s all very nice and well-polished, but unfortunately it lacks a little bite… Not bad at all, but sadly a little too forgettable… I tend to skip this track…

#05: Test [135 BPM]
But luckily things pick up again on this electro-infested little house number… That’s right, this is electro-house which crosses over into progressive trance – or maybe the other way around, I don’t know!? What I do know is that this track has the ‘edge’ I was looking for earlier, and that’s obviously a good thing…The voice-samples are a bit tacky, but the retro-cool synths totally make up for that… This reminds me of Meller and/or D-Nox & Beckers and similar acts… It’s real pleasant! =D

#06: Danger [135 BPM]
Next up is a much more wide-appealing track… This is epic club trance with a very strong emphasis on driving, twirling melodies… And yeah, not as edgy as I like… This is for the clubbers, and as such a little too commercial for my taste…

#07: Microbes [132 BPM]
More dancefloor material here, but I’m happy to report that this is much less cheese filled... This is focussed, driving progressive trance with a pinch of electro-house… A very uplifting tune that is just dying to be played out loud at a sunny beach party… This is cocktail trance! Cheers!

#08: Xcute [128 BPM]
*Sigh* I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise any longer, but this is another very commercial, clubby outfit of a track... Technically this could have been a very sweet tune and it’s very similar to track #1 in construction with its huge melodic pads and majestic appearance… And sure, this is very nicely produced music… Lush, plush and uplifting… I just wish they’d upped the edge-factor and toned down the cheese…

#09: Astray (feat. Sabrina) [66 BPM]
Just like on the recent Flowjob album we get a closing track that revolves around female singing – only difference is that this is a VERY laidback, downbeat track… And just like the Flowjob track, the actually music is pretty damn cool – but it’s totally destroyed by the vocals which are mediocre at best… Argh, finally some edge, and it’s soiled by those crappy vocals… ;o/

It really, really, REALLY pains me to say this, but this is the worst Tribal Vision release so far… Don’t get me wrong, there are still some excellent tunes here, but overall this album wasn’t as ‘edgy’ as I’d hoped for and the good tracks kinda drown amongst the commercial tracks… In that sense this reminds me of the Gaudium and Insane Creation albums… It’s all quality music, but the clubby moments are too many for my tastes…

The cover art is also very unlike what we’re used to with Tribal Vision, but I guess in a sense it fits the somewhat commercial music pretty well… So, to conclude: Besides from the few stand-out tracks listed below, this album is probably not gonna get a lot of playtime in my house – but on the other hand I’m sure it’ll go down very well with fans of progressive trance that crosses well over into club territory… Cos in that genre, this album is definitely a hit! … Enjoy!

Favourites: 1(!), 3(!), 5, 7

DeathPosture


External links:
Sonic Cube: http://www.soniccube.ch
Tribal Vision: http://www.tribalvision.cz
Discogs: http://www.discogs.com/release/634433
Saiko Sounds: http://tinyurl.com/fqtvf
Beatspace: http://tinyurl.com/hj8nh
Psyshop: http://tinyurl.com/e7xo7
Wakyo: http://tinyurl.com/fwcg9
Juno: http://tinyurl.com/zku4c           On really romantic evenings of self, I go salsa dancing with my confusion...
aDaMT
Meltdown

Started Topics :  5
Posts :  32
Posted : Mar 31, 2006 04:30
Sonic Cube - Filter (Tribal Vision Records, March 2006)

Artist: Sonic Cube
Title: Filter
Label: Tribal Vision Records
Format: CD
Cat No.: TVRCD007
Released: March, 2006
Release Info: http://www.saikosounds.com/english/display_release.asp?id=5582
Cover Art: http://ip23.dyn181.pacific.net.hk/show/cover.asp?titleID=5582
Interview: http://www.australiens.net/features/90/
Tribal Vision: http://www.tribalvision.cz
Sonic Cube: http://www.soniccube.ch/

Track Listing
01. Hide
02. Last Jedi (Feat. Sonnenvakuum)
03. Cloud Buster (Album Mix)
04. Amnesia
05. Test
06. Danger
07. Microbes
08. Xcute
09. Astray (Feat. Sabrina)

Review

Filter is the second full length album release from Swiss progressive trance producers Sonic Cube. Having released their debut self-titled album "Sonic Cube" on Yellow Sunshine Explosion in 2003 this new album brings with it a fresh new crisp edge that definitely showcases the advances in Sonic Cube's music.

I was lucky enough to witness Sonic Cube's live performance at Tribeadelic NYE festival in Melbourne, Australia many years ago which co-incided with their "Sonic Cube" album release, and was very impressed with the performance which took the daytime crowd through a smooth, progressive daytime bringing many smiles to faces in the sun. Since then I have paid close attention to Sonic Cube releases and more recently have been very much looking forward to the release of this album.

Something about this album has kept it in my CD player continuously for a couple of weeks now. This CD has grown on me the more I listen to it. The album to me represents a fresh, CRISP, 'feel-good' re-vitalising sound. The synth work covers a wide range of frequency, with the album having a very trancey (sometimes housey) groove. I hear subtle Atmos/Andromeda type influences, but overall very much a specific engineered Sonic Cube sound. It's cleanly produced, & positive in energy, and I very much respect the fact that Sonic Cube have followed through with their own sound, only newer, more advanced & better produced. Their direction is almost unique amongst the recent electro/housey trend (which I also dig), it certainly contains these elements, but it's main sound & focus is very 'Sonic Cube'. The CD cover artwork is superb and to me, is the perfect graphic representation of Sonic Cube's aim in music (crisp, clean, modern, futuristic).

Another absolutely top quality release from the outstanding Tribal Vision Records who IMO are absolutely storming the progressive world with fresh ideas, lots of style, class, and precision quality releases. I am a strong supporter of this label since it has so incredibly quickly come to the forefront of progressive and I look forward to Slater & Schwa's future releases.

The Tracks

1. Hide [125bpm]
A nice big groove to get this track started. A very open sound that draws you into the bright, energising synth-work and spacious big feel. I'm not too crash hot on the vocal sample, although it manages to fit in.

2. Last Jedi (Feat. Sonnenvakuum) [134bpm]
This track is one of my favourites on the album. A significantly differnet sound to the rest of the Sonic Cube tracks, Sonnenvakuum influence has a darker, almost more minimal groove, but really brings you into the trance with this hypnotic and very progressive track. At first I wasn't too sure about the Jedi sample, but the way it is used works well, with the trailing rhythmic delay adding to the drive. With nice, subtly syncopated percussion, this track builds up layer by layer but maintaining a dark & steady groove. Really enjoyable track!!

3. Cloud Buster (Album Mix) [135bpm]
This name will be very familiar with the superb Andre Absolut remix very recently sweeping the globe with it's release on Tribal Vision. This original/album mix sounds surprisingly different with a down-to-business focused groove and slightly darker, more serious edge than some of the tracks on the album. Towards the end the track opens up with some of the Sonic Cube melodic touches which also hints at elements heard in the Andre Absolut remix.

4. Amnesia [134bpm]
Slightly more 'up-beat' in feel than the earlier tracks, Amnesia could be described as not so 'open and spacious' as others on the album, but slightly more focused on the rhythmic drive which 'holds the level' nicely and may not be as 'catchy' as some but plays like a journey within the track itself.

5. Test [135bpm]
A solid track, 'Test' has Electro influence, it has a serious driving sound with snappy snares and nice rolling synths. I really dig the almost 'dissonant' key progression that highlights this track imo, and is becoming quite common in the new electro/prog wave. The vocoded sample overlaid sets the mood for this track and overall I'd say it's a very good, interesting take on Electro elements by Sonic Cube.

6. Danger [135bpm]
Danger drives forward with melodic airy riffs, percussive layering and harmonic key shifts in the pulsing bassline. A decent track, but to me not a stand out of the album.

7. Microbes [132bpm]
This would have to be my favourite track on the album, this track is uplifting and energising. The synth work is an integral part of the groove in this driving and intense, yet very positive, feel-good track. A stereo "chorus" type feel with a nicely layered progression pushes this track forward and would definitely get a festival dancefloor moving. The vocal in this track I feel is the most well used sample on the entire album, nicely placed, very suiting, and 'intense' and cutting in feel, it combines with the shifting bassline groove and higher frequency synths to take the second half of this track even higher! Highlight of the album for me.

8. Xcute [127bpm]
Another great addition to the album with the full frequency synth work that creates a huge spacious and uplifting energy. With sidechained pulsing pads this track breathes with bright energy that could be thought of as quite clubby, but would definitely do justice outdoors in the sun. To me this track very much describes the overall Sonic Cube sound. Great track!

9. Astray (Feat. Sabrina) [131bpm]
A nice down beat closing the album with smooth subtle broken beats, ambience & female vocals & lyrics.

Favourite Tracks: 2, 5, !!7!!, 8

          http://www.australiens.net - The Australian PsyTrance Network.
http://www.meltdownaudio.com - Meltdown Web Site.
http://myspace.com/meltdownproducer - Meltdown MySpace
SONNENVAKUUM
Sonnenvakuum

Started Topics :  7
Posts :  33
Posted : Mar 31, 2006 20:39
Hello Everyone

Thanks again for all the words , good and bad !
we take all reviews serious , so we would like to say a few things about some points.

1. Sonic Cube came to live as a 100% club orientated project , cause for all the "edgy" and "uncommercial" stuff we allready had Sonnenvakuum running !

2.I dont know why people allways argue about : "its not what i expected" ?

3. For us as musicians its a much more interresting challenge to work with a singer and lyrics then just kick and bass etc. , so i dont understand what this has to do with beeing "cheesy" ?

We hope you dont start to argue about our post here , just wanted to say our impressions and maybe answer some open questions for those who dont know.

If you like the "uncommercial" and "edgy" stuff , you can go to the Sonnenvakuum website where allmost every track we ever released is provided as a 100% free download for everyone !!

Cheers Sonic Cube / Sonnenvakuum

http://www.soniccube.ch
http://www.sonnenvakuum.ch


weird anomaly
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  17
Posts :  129
Posted : Apr 1, 2006 07:33
its house music .. good tho .. but still house music ..
Acidhive
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  76
Posts :  2014
Posted : Apr 1, 2006 14:34
Quote:

On 2006-04-01 07:33, weird anomaly wrote:
its house music .. good tho .. but still house music ..




You make it sound like there is something wrong with house music?           "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]
olivier
Side-A

Started Topics :  40
Posts :  1303
Posted : Apr 3, 2006 15:06
very nice album, especially "hide" ,"microbes" and "xcute" , wich are great progressive house/trance crossover tracks with cool groove , well built percussion and nice synth/pad lines
well done guys, swiss power !!
Dance N Dust
Dance N Dust

Started Topics :  83
Posts :  419
Posted : Apr 3, 2006 15:39
very nice stuff..(:
best tracks for me is 3,4!! 7,8
good stuff
Lotte


Started Topics :  0
Posts :  4
Posted : Apr 3, 2006 16:34
FUCKIN' GREAT STUFF!!! I LOVE IT...ESPECIALLY TRACK 5!!!
Suspekt
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  64
Posts :  563
Posted : Apr 8, 2006 23:50
Last year, Tribal Vision Records from the Czech Republic managed to firmly place themselves as one of the leading labels in the world of progressive. With a myriad of hit releases in a broad range of styles, Slater and Schwa guided Tribal Vision into a very strong position for 2006.

Their first cd release of the year showcases the talents of Switzerland’s Sonic Cube with their album release “Filter”. Aussies might remember these guys when they played at Tribeadelic a few years back (they also played as Sonnenvakuum as well, which they also continue to do as well), so they have quite a fanbase down here id imagine. I heard some samples of these tracks a while back, and I must say my appetite was wet for quite a while for this one.

And as I expected, it didn’t let me down. Sonic Cube’s production work has really pushed up a notch with this one- they have obviously been working hard in the studio in the past few years. Filter is clean, sensible progressive trance/house with a nice deep touch. Commanding basslines coupled with tasty melodic top-end is the basis of the SC sound- the sound is very much contemporary, with influences drawn from electro, techno and house while still retaining a distinctly psychedelic flavour.

Cd opens with “Hide”- a deep house influenced number with a nice low BPM (125!). Subtle melodies over a nice deep and grindy bass- tribalish kinda percussion work. Some vocals put it much into club territory, although it could work outdoors no worries too. One of my favourite tracks of the cd, nice opener!

“Last Jedi” picks up the pace a little- much trancish feel. Big groovy phat bass, kinda reminds me a little of Insane Creation or V-Tunes. Slinky kinda feel that opens right out and gets really broad by the end. Definitely a lot of work has been put into the melodic structure of every track- its quite melodic but at the same time, intelligently done and not too over top. Solid stuff…

“Cloudbuster” keeps things at a nice driving pace- this one was released on vinyl earlier this year- in my opinion its still the best track on the disk. Driving dark percussion and a big epic synth feel. Tribal and hypnotic, with a nice bit of melodic work at the end. One of my favourite tracks for the past few months still keeps it delivering!

“Amnesia” lightens it up, with a bit more of a funky bassline and playful feel. Sweeping pads and groovy rhythms, lots of “sparkle”. Compared to the last track, this one is very “nice”- but its still got a wicked deep bass end that keeps the track tough.
“Test” moves more into the electro territory- kinda 80s disco kinda feel, very much a club track in my opinion. Effected vocals and lots of retro sounding synths definitely carry it- not so much to my taste this one.

“Danger” returns us firmly to deeper territory- nice tough bassline and sweeping synths give away to a nice developing melodic section. These guys really know there way around this style of production, everything seems to just slide seamlessly into each other. I like how this track progressives, its very journey like- nice work.

“Microbes” is a nice sexy number with an electro influence- but not too much. I can still dig it- dirty bassline with some sparse female vocal sections carried by a nice tribalish percussion section. I can see this one being a big one for club djs. “Xcute” plants itself firmly in the realm of electro-house, reminds me a little of some stuff off the recent flowjob album. Nice and positive, lots of high melodies- doesn’t have the deeper edge of some of the other numbers.

“Ashtray” closes the album- an eclectic broken beat/chill-out track. Wicked twisted female vocals over sparse an erratic beats and glitches. Some really nice guitar at the end too. Wicked close to the disk- it hasn’t left my cd player in days.

All in all, Sonic Cube deliver a sophisticated and intelligent album release. A broad range of styles feature, showing they can master man different genres- yet each track manages to be a nice blend of many of the contemporary progressive styles… I guess the name Sonic Cube is very fitting. I must admit it was one album that grew on me- it took me a while to listen to the subtlety before I could appreciate how good it was.

Well done Daniel and Ueli and Tribal Vision- Filter is a very mature album with great production work and a diverse range of styles. Good for home listening or a DJ, id recommend this album to people who are fans of intelligent progressive music.

8/10











          Open Records, Australia

www.open-records.net
furthur
IsraTrance Junior Member

Started Topics :  45
Posts :  1383
Posted : Apr 9, 2006 06:27
ashtray, wicked track, really?

yes, there are some really good tracks here, there are others not so good at all tracks, but not bad

but, ashtray, imo is horrible
the worst of this genre that i have heard in a long time, and i hear a lot in this genre           Load Universe into Cannon. Aim at Brain. Fire.

www.ganesha.ca
evgeny@aero-groove
IsraTrance Full Member

Started Topics :  166
Posts :  1205
Posted : Apr 9, 2006 08:43
So Finaly i got down to do this, sorry daniel

Well first of all from the first seconds you can feel the diffrence between the first album & this one, first in the clear & crisp sound & second in the totaly diffrent direction from the first one which was deeper & more subtle to much more dancefloor oriented. Obviously i would prefered if you guys were to focus on the direction you had in your first album

For me the album is somewhat devided in 2, the trax i like & the ones i don't
what i mean to say that the trax i like stand out totaly from the ones i don't like,
so for the ones i like best are:
Hide, Microbes, Xcute!
really great tunes, but for the rest on this album they seem kinda lacking in intresting content, well produced, great sound...but kinda flat.

So all in all this piece is definatly worth buying and i bet that we will hear the trax i mentioned on dancefloors worldwide! so way to go guys & keep up the good work!

Cheers!
          http://www.aero-groove.com
http://www.facebook.com/aerogroovemusic
http://twitter.com/aero_groove
ND
ProSect

Started Topics :  44
Posts :  919
Posted : Apr 11, 2006 19:25
That's a great release, more then average for me.

My favourite track would be Hide. Also Microbes, Xcute and Amnesia are great. The good tracks cover the more weaker points of the album. I think the guys is on the right train.

Very nice cover art.

Keep the good work!

ND
          Without Deviation, Progress Is Not Possible.

www.andivision.com
Sound Field / ProSect / Sonify / Radio Mess
N-A-S-A
Nasa/The Gnome Effect

Started Topics :  23
Posts :  165
Posted : Apr 16, 2006 12:45
I dont see how this could be house music. Sure, its very clubby and more commercial than the usual progressive trance music, but i dont see how that makes it house music.

Anyway, this album wasnt perhaps as good as i hoped it would be, but that doesnt mean its bad either. I like alot of these tracks, some for playing out, some for listening at home. They have a very nice, deep groovy sound to them which my ears love for those relaxing days           http://www.facebook.com/nasa.tranceproject
http://www.psyshop.com/shop/CDs/inm/inm1cd036.html
http://www.junodownload.com/products/1537910-02.htm
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/222773/unique#
rumble pack / motion drive
Rumble Pack

Started Topics :  23
Posts :  270
Posted : Apr 18, 2006 11:11
well, what to say about this cd...

As i know their project since their first album i was curious how their sound devloped.
Thats for shure the first thing to recognize; the production is much better then on the first album. The kiks and baselines are heavy and pounding as it is "In vogue" today..lol
It took me sevral listenings to know what i like and what i dont like.
There are some tracks wich are to repetive and clubby/electro for me..like "Test" or "Xcute".
But the good tracks are "Amnesia", "Danger" and "Microbes"...those tracks are very nice and have everything i like in progressive trance...deep atmospheric, little melodies here and there...very nice

The negative points for me are some voice samples wich are out of place imo...as the Star wars sample...
The mastering could be clearer aswell i think, it lacks a bit of crisp and hi freqs. But maybe thats just my lousy speakers at home..lol

All in all...for shure a great step forward from the two guys.
          www.myspace.com/motiondrive
http://www.myspace.com/rumblepacknaturalflowmotiondrive
Trance Forum » » Forum  Music Reviews - Sonic Cube - Filter (Tribal Vision Records)
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