The Nightcrawlers - Traveling Backwards

This group from the USA existed between 1980 and 1991 and have, until this release, been unknown in the UK except by the most avid EM fans. A snare / bass sequence and insect sounding shimmerings herald the opening number 'Digitalis'. After a very brief period of time the main rhythm is introduced, this sounds slightly dated but is effective. The lead line is really blistering as it cuts its way through all sorts of effects and explosions underneath. This must have sounded absolutely amazing live. 'Modulus Four' would have fitted perfectly on Edgar Froese's 'Macula Transfer' album. Initially there is very little clutter here, for the most part we just have an exquisite sequence and melody with the occasional sound in the background. As the track progresses another rhythmic sequence is added and things start to become more complex but all the time retaining a sort of hypnotic, delicate quality. The final melodic section is particularly amazing showing the Nightcrawlers' obvious TD influences, absolutely fantastic! 'Ombra' is a much more atmospheric outing, reminding me very much of a steamy jungle early in the morning and is a superb piece of "picture music". Next up we have a three part piece encompassing 'Particle Dance', 'Interlude II' and 'Shadows of Light'. The first section is a rather strange affair, effects providing a back drop for a snare which almost sounds like a clock ticking then we get some very fast high register sequences being added one on top of another like watching a number of particles of dust vibrating under a microscope. A drum beat is added and the particles start to vibrate faster and faster At around the eleven minute mark things get very cosmic, I guess this is 'Interlude II', then an organ can be heard over what sounds like the distant rumbles of a super nova. The last section 'Shadows of Light' starts with a slow bass sequence with a meandering lead line over the top, things then subside and we enter cosmic realms again until the track's close. After a typical laid back start 'Tanzwut' introduces what is probably the best sequence on the first disc, very strident and dominating the track. The sonic touches and lead lines remind me of TD's 'Sorcerer' but this is a much more powerful track than anything that would be found on that album. This track just demands repeat playing, wow! To close the first disc we have 'A November Evening' (rather appropriate for when you will probably be reading this) representing the band's more reflective and peaceful side. On to disc two and 'Spring Torsion'. The image of a wind blown moorland is developed but with a weird percussive sound, almost vocal, coming and going. The wind subsides as the track develops. Simple lead lines take their turn to be dominant, all rather weird until at around the six minute mark sequences and rhythm are introduced and the track really starts to take off, wonderful! 'Spacewalk parts 1-3' as you might expect starts with rather spooky other worldly effects, again I am reminded of sections from 'Sorcerer'. This is the best atmospheric section we have had so far . At around the five minute mark I guess we move in to part two as a slow sequence is introduced which fits the drifting quality of the music perfectly. Just before the half way mark a much more beefy sequence is developed and a very Tangerine Dream style lead line is placed over the top then subsides. At seventeen minutes I guess we enter part three as two very simple sequences are placed over each other and the mood shifts again. A third sequence is added and melodies are played over the top. All very simple but effective. 'Glimmer' starts with a series of sound bursts, calms down for a short time then we get a superb but restrained sequence / rhythmic section. A delicate melody comes to the surface. New melodies come and go, the sequence eventually subsiding into the wind and things remain very atmospheric and moody until the end of the track. The title track is the last on this fantastic two CD set and finishes things off in a pleasant if undramatic fashion. How this collection of tracks has avoided CD release until now is a mystery to me. Surely one of the best £12.95's you will ever spend.

Tracklist:
CD1:
01.Digitalis 07:07
02.Modulus Four 11:48
03.Ombra 11:40
04.Particle Dance, Interlude II, Shadows of Light 25:07
05.Tanzwut 12:10
06.A November Evening 05:25

CD2:
01.Spring Torsion 13:03
02.Spacewalk 25:08
03.In a Distant Corridor, Interlude I, Glimmer 22:44
04.Travelling Backwards 11:43