100%

The one-person project X-Fusion is one of the few which doesn’t need to be introduced to anyone having a serious affair with electronic music. Jan L. has proved many times that he is a true independent artist who freely creates a new, gloomy music space. Each successive release surpassed the former and brought new ideas into the fossilized genre. It’s no different with Ultima Ratio – the CD doubtlessly reveals a new, inspiring prospects of the state-of-the-art electro.
Thirteen gloomy, massive sounding compositions make up the monumental total of this album. As was the case with former releases, also this time the listener will enjoy dozens of orderly, perfectly constructed samples, supported by cleverly distributed effects in X-Fusion style – not exaggerated, almost sophisticated. Jan L. brings us into the world of dangerous bits in his usual manner – with tuneful, restless The calm before the storm. Following the catchy Leave no seed the sound temperature begins to increase, whereas the tempo grows gradually and dies down for a moment in the heavy, industrial Psychopath. The fullness of Jan L.’s inspirations explode in the phenomenal, multidimensional Burn down the flags, where creativity harmonizes with experience and the crushing bit contrasts with high-pitched samples, through which characteristic, strong vocals force their way. The title composition deserves particular attention. It is not only a specific extension of the hit Burn down the flags, but also the turning point of the whole release. Based on a high, almost delicate theme, it sounds elaborate and aggressive at the same time. It is a perfect fusion of soft and harsh electro, a combination of crushing, industrial blow and synthesizer delicacy. Ulima Ratio maintains a high level, fortunately, the remaining compositions are inferior only to a certain degree. Rise and fall, dominated by string section, is also noteworthy. Still breathing and Already dead are heavier and herald the advent of a music curtain, which consists of perverse, fast Daily dose and instrumental Inferno. It is the last composition that should collect the majority of praises and compliments, right after Ultima Ratio. Inferno is the moment when after the fusion of electro and industrial symphonic orchestra a new quality emerges. It is this quality that becomes the leitmotif of the bonus material, added to the extended album release, where the listener will encounter six compositions, to which Inferno is a wonderful introduction (Intoxicated and rhythmical Sepulchar waltz – the brightest among the gems).
X-Fusion, by connecting continental spontaneity with American perfectionism, denotes another stage of development of European independent music, with Ultima Ratio as the milestone on this path. Ultima Ratio is a strong material with no space for mistakes. It doesn’t tire the listener thanks to symmetrically distributed emphases; it is perfectly balanced. Listening to one of the youngest works of Jan L. is a pure delight even for the neophytes of the genre. For the veterans, on the other hand, it is a stream of ecstatic pleasure.

Track list:

01. The Calm Before The Storm
02. Leave No Seed
03. House Of Mirrors
04. Psychopath
05. Burn Down The Flags
06. Ultima Ratio
07. Follow Your Leader
08. Rise And Fall
09. Exspes
10. Still Breathing
11. Already Dead
12. Daily Dose
13. Inferno

Bonus - Beyond Reality

01. Catacomb
02. Syncope
03. Beyond reality
04. Intoxicated
05. Sepulchral waltz
06. The chase


Other articles:

• X-Fusion - What Remains Is Black - 2013-09-07 (Music reviews)
• X-Fusion - Thorn In My Flesh - 2011-12-14 (Music reviews)

Newest comments: