Causa Sui drummer Jakob Sk?tt returns with his second full-length under his
own name. Taking the leap from his debut Doppler's (EPR 011LP) introvert
kosmische synthesizer dronescapes, diving into a full-blown mad scientist one-band
mode, Jakob straps on a wide array of heavy percussive modes to fuel his vivid
utopia of analog synths and drums. It's one man's vision, as crazed and
intoxicated as it is soothing and compelling, borrowing as many clues from Afrobeat,
Latin grooves and new age ambience as it does from the booming legacy of
Krautrock. The proceedings are distanced from both coolness and kitsch, and a
refreshing break from any standards. ''Mantis in Lace'' kicks off the record with a
thick, repetitive bass synth riff, on top of two drum kits battling to spontaneously
combust. On top of that, a heavy percussive layer of echo-addled synthesizers is
working out a path of its own: an opening statement constantly collapsing on itself.
''Synthemesc'' takes a calmer, yet insisting percussive mode of full bodied Moogtone
carrying the track into a John Carpenter-ish landing. ''Araucaria Fire''
straps on congas for a more exotic journey into an organ-riddled percussive
climax, recollecting Trans Am and Tony Williams Lifetime. Side B lends itself
to a more subtle start, with two tracks of electroorgasmic psychedelic bliss, leading
the way into the heart of the title-track -- a heavy slice of funk as dense as any 4-
piece band could have cooked it up. ''Earth of No Horizon'' lands the spaceship
safely with echoes of Terry Riley or Vangelis. Amor Fati is unique blend of
improvisation, as well as carefully structured climaxes and shifts.
TRACKLISTING
A1. Mantis in Lace
A2. Synthemesc
A3. Araucaria Fire
B1. Eastman Oyster
B2. Omega Oscillator
B3. Amor Fati
B4. Earth of No Horizon