Archidascalus by Croniamantal

Archidascalus was released in 1990.
Catalogue number : SPH010
Single Sided, Album, C30

The first track "VHO" reminds one of people like MUSLIMGAUZE and O YUKI CONJUGATE - a repetitive Ethnic-based drum/percussion piece which sounds really good, full of variety without actually leaving the central sound. "Machina" follows - a looping rhythm with heavy echo which strictly follows the rhythm while synth/guitar/noise plays across the top. "Titania" follows, returning to the Ethnic-based rhythm, yet still retaining sounds and images of synthetic music, The louder you listen to it, the further you are drawn into the sound. It's Electronically enhanced Trance Music, full of diversity and texture - and some of the background noises are killers. "Ordalia" is a full sound with sequential percussion, and a hammering drum pattern over which huge masses of sounds rise in magnificent walls of sound, all carrying the sound along in an irresistable flowing mass. "Othys" is unfortunately the last track on this cassette, being a lot more complex and dramatic, owing it's sound a lot more to Electronic music than to Ethnic. It verges on self-destruction it's so big, yet manages to retain it's poise, The sound is of Electronically driven music with Metal Bashin' sounds scattered to the four winds.
Not a very long review, but neither is it a very long album. What there is would be high in the SOFT WATCH POP TWENTY (not that there would ever be such a thing! ) As mentioned above, if you like MUSLIMGAUZE, OYUKI CONJUGATE and so on, this would be a good investment - I don't think you'll be disappointed. These people have a rosy future - be the first on your block.....

Originally reviewed for Soft Watch.

Credits

released November 7, 2025