Horror Odyssee by Big Robot & Conrad Schnitzler

After Big Robot’s impressive debut Aquafit, I have been looking forward to seeing how they would follow it up, and Horror Odyssee certainly doesn't disappoint. Opening with Kalter Hund, a Neu - La Dusseldorf style raucous rocker, with wailing distorted guitars over manic vocals. Punk drives head-on into a wall of sound.
After this adrenaline-fueled opener, the pace slows for Inner Robotics the first of 2 lengthy tracks which take up the rest of the album.
Beginning with industrial white noise, a simple bass line takes you through all manner of expanding synth sounds and fine detail, and some delicate electric piano, riders on the cosmic storm.
After nearly 7 melodic minutes the structure starts to break down and chaos rules, though there are brief rhythmic episodes amid this chaos. It's difficult to know for sure, but I would suspect that Conrad Schnitzler's influence is greater during this magnificent electronic mayhem.
Though it is continuous, Inner Robotics is split into 5 parts and although there are no id changes, it's pretty easy to hear where the piece divides. Outer Robotics begins with cymbals and electronic noise over a simple melody, the melody fades as the noise builds and once more we have blissful chaos. Melody returns after around 5 minutes. 7 minutes in comes the albums most unexpected mood swing with a toxic cantina piece, a little jazzy and strangely humorous, a little light relief on the Horror Odyssee.
Some of the later pieces are reminiscent of early Tangerine dream (when they were great) or mid phase Pink Floyd. Awesome.
Review by Jon Tyler.

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