Rindenberg
Enigmatic, ethereal, endless. Tristan created a vast ocean of sounds and ideas. The music moves in slow and regular progressions, just like waves, although no wave is similar to the next one. This album rewards you to drown in it, play in its waves, taste it's water and get carried away by its tide, all within the ever gentle modulations of the synths. What a strangely moving experience!
Favorite track: 5.
I first heard these recordings on a damp tuesday morning, riding on an innercity train. The ususal package of passengers; most of them introverted, sorrow-stricken, staring outside while the outside stared fiercely back in. The faces you learn to ignore. Most of them were on their way to work, it was pretty early. I was one of them. Until I put on the headphones to listen for the first time to Tristan Magnetique, the recordings I received through mail one night ago. Suddenly, I was detached, maybe elevated, and yet, full of empathy, realizing for a split second we’re all in this together, while I also knew I was the first person in the world listening to Tristan except for Tristan himself. That level of intimacy I experienced that morning on public transit – it doesn’t vanish, because intimacy is a natural feature of the way Tristan builds up sound.
Tristan Magnetique is the latest solo work of german sound artist Günter Schlienz. Schlienz, as though well-known in the international cassette underground, remains at times as enigmatic as his new moniker. He is creating his own machines. He’s a thorough and careful composer, following a straight work ethic involving live sets in which the machines completely take over while Günter is witnessed to lie on his back, smoking a cigarette. Synthesizer music sometimes resembles the model-railroad-scene of the last century: men in their private hobby rooms, creating a small, clearly ordered parallel universe – a coping mechanism. In spite of that, Günter works more like a naturalist; his universe exists for itself, he himself being just the hole through which we can take a brief lurk into this dimension. In fact, Tristan might be one of the residents of that world, and just like the historical Tristan material, which takes a key role in European literature, this is a story comprised of illusion, musical mirroring, adaption, and dedication.
As „Tristan Magnetique“ , Schlienz pays tribute to noise artists like Mike Pollard or Peter Friel, who started „getting mellow“, as Günter puts it, around 10 years ago. Putting the usual machines aside, Tristan took just a Casio CZ101, some basic effect pedals and a 4-track recorder and bounced out this whole new persona. Both solemnn and charming, Tristan takes you on a ride far out while tucking you in at the same time. The power supply of the keyboard crackles in the background, while these tiny melodies unfold like a strange flower in a novel of the dark romanticism. And just like in literature, this music is not what it seems: while it might remain pure new age kitsch to some, it has in fact nothing to do with notions of an
„ambience music“ which offers the possibility of not having to listen too closely. Minimal changes require maximum attention. This is music that requires a good ear, a time to invest. One might relax
during this process, but that is a side-effect. It’s an approach for a music both purely intimate and anticapitalist; it’s music requiring an active listener.
Edition of 40 triple cassettes. This is a joint venture with Günter’s Cosmic Winnetou label – danke Günter.
supported by 17 fans who also own “Tristan Magnetique”
Günter Schlienz returns with yet another fantastic release filled with his signature synthesizer soundscapes. I love everything he's done, and this album is no exception. ~ DJ Megasoup (Selaroda) ~
supported by 15 fans who also own “Tristan Magnetique”
Such an underrated artist. This album happens to be my favorite one, but if you dig this one you should also listen to his pevious albums. I hope this man get’s some more attention in the future. Thumbs up and keep up the great work Nils Wortmann
Samuele Gottardello—aka Blak Saagan—delivers a worldbuilding album, suffused with shadow, a horror soundtrack to an unmade film. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 31, 2021