Enhanced CD, Brume Records, 2004
www.o-t-x.com
Released by the French label Brume Records, “Escape” is the very promising and mature debut album by the one-man musical project OTX.
One thing is readily noticeable upon hearing this CD: the precise rhythmical constructions which are extremely robotic and which, at times, acquire something of a martial aspect as well. The rhythmic structures, quite complex and filled with subtle nuances, are the base of the music in this album, ultimately being the cornerstone in which all the music is build. Simple and ambient-like melodies are layered with the rhythmic structures and, when combined with precise and skillful placement of choice samples, ultimately define the moods and concepts built by the main musical structures with scary clarity.
“Escape” appears to owe a lot to trance and ambient music, combining aspects of both in varying measures and adding a hevy dose of industrial and experimental influence. Like trance, OTX’s music is somewhat hypnotic and has a drift-like quality. However, OTX takes things to another level: the music, and the feelings conveyed by it, become crisp and definitely much more intense with mechanical rhythms inducing body movement of an almost robotic kind. In its more ambient aspect, “Escape” is very brooding and contemplative. The industrial-like rhythms are still present but they enhance the ambiance, inducing contemplation. In some points, the music in “Escape” can even become somewhat disturbing, especially if one gives some attention to comments in the accompanying booklet.
“To Protect and to Serve” is the first track that comes to mind as worthy of particular mention in this album, a very strong track with a “on the prowl”, almost predatory, feeling to it and a sense of oppressive urban dystopia. “Weapons Factory” easily comes across as the dance-floor track by excellence while tracks like “International Space Station ISS” and “Calls from the Middle East” are in stark contrast as brooding ambient tracks.
The two last tracks are remixes by Oil 10 and Displacer, who seem to be very popular remixers nowadays. Competent remixes as always (as would be expected) and rather recognizable as well, especially Oil 10 who has a very melodic approach. Two very interesting additions to an excellent album. Another interesting addition is the video-clip track. A simple and interesting video by Stepháne Berla perfectly translating into image the music of that which is the most dance-floor oriented track in this album, “Weapons Factory”.
[8.5/10]
— Miguel de Sousa