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The Markant project started with a number of vinly only releases, spanning several years and featuring dark electronica and ambient sounds. Hard to find due to limited pressing quantities and because there was little to no information available, they quickly became some kind of cult collectors items. Until last year, when the first Markant CD issue -a compilation of the best tracks from the previous vinyls- saw the light of day. By reaching a somewhat wider audience, Carsten Endraß is gradually earning the appreciation and attention he deserves.

Now a debut CD-album has been released. Still influenced by earlier works, but with a definite "up-to-date" sound. The tracks are very epic, with long rhythmic textures and lingering synth-lines that come and go. Rich -sometimes almost orchestral- melodies add depth and emotion to the dark, industrial atmosphere caused by rough percussion and crunchy beats. Tempo changes are plenty between tracks, ranging from ambient moods to upbeat distortion.

You can tell that this music has been crafted with attention to detail, by the sheer amount of variation that appears during the tracks. Some tracks give me a very uneasy feeling and others evoke unbridled melancholy, it's hard to stay unaffected by this music and that's the best proof of quality if you ask me ...

SayVegin
feb2002