Customer Reviews

Beyond the Portal

5 star:		(3)
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Ethereal landscapes washes over you when putting this disc into your CD player. The music on this disc is sure to please fans of Craig's earlier works such as 'Path of least Resistance'. It could even be described as a 'follow up' to that album, in fact, much of the sound has similarities to it.

But this is a more solid effort, and consists of more powerful and dramatic sequences that will make you feel transported deeper into space, like you were living a dream. And not one track out of the six sounds the same in terms of structure and flow. Each are a unique experience for the listener. The best tracks are 'One Moment Beyond' and 'Perspective of Disappearance'. Those tracks showcases what Craig, Skip & Ohms are capable of doing when they are at peak with their imagination and creativity

Lush atmospheres and synth swooshing surrealistic surroundings, with gorgeous analog effects is the order of the day, and make sure to buy yourself a copy right away. Don't miss this gem. Definetely their best work so far. Go Beyond The Portal and discover what dreams are made of.

Stunning work!

If you are into the spacier side of ambient, this is right up your alley. I can't stress that enough- it sounds like you are soaring and gliding along in outer space. I have no previous albums of Padilla, Ohms, or Murphy, but am a long time fan of ambient music, and can say that this is quality work. It is soothing enough to fall asleep to, but also is worth staying awake for, as you will likely want to do. So listen to the samples, and if you like what you hear, you have a good idea of what's on the album. More of the same, with nice variety and expansive sound.

Wow, with having this line-up in action you have to be prepared for grandiose intergalactic voyage, just like indicated by its title and cover picture (design by Jeff Kowal/Terra Ambient). And the opening "Perpective Of Disappearance" (first part of subtitle "Realm Of The Spirit") only proves these words as it immediately transports each listener into colossal cosmic spheres with its peacefully floating washes, few dramatic outbursts and generated choirs color the composition here and there, but the overall feel is of very smooth ethereal and romantic nature. The title composition of the first subtitle, "Realm Of The Spirit", returns to primordial grounds with Zero Ohms/Richard Roberts' suggestive flute work, stunningly melting the modern and the ancient, really gorgeous soundscaping at its most serene level!!! "Oceans Of The Heavens", the sole part of the second subtitle "Akasha", shifts the mood towards the celestial sound painting with circling and slowly evolving texture, getting at times more massive and dramatic and showcasing beautiful interplay of monumental skyscapes and moments of silence enriched at the very end by choir-like sounds. Absolutely breathtaking composition and truly imaginative and fascinating deep space journeying!!! "One Moment Beyond", the entry part of the last "Beyond The Portal" subtitle, drifts in much quieter and static celestial manner with naturally and warmly floating sound waves, nicely colored in its second part with Zero Ohms' flute magic. Strongly evocative piece of music!!! It freely crosses into "Active Side Of Infinity" that soon transports the listener into more breathing and ever-changing territory with strong cinematic, almost orchestral-like feel, what a gracious beauty!!! The closing title composition "Beyond The Portal" is more energizing with mid-paced structure, and even if more earthy sounding, it provides highlighting finale for this impressive and crafted deep space exploration!!! "Beyond The Portal" is outstanding in every aspect, filled with emotional depth and elegant sound sculpting, a really graceful and sophisticated work by three respected fellow travelers!!!

Richard Gürtler (Sep 25, 2011, Bratislava, Slovakia)