Homage
Extra is an exclusive studio compilation, a collaborative
effort between Dutch synthesist Romerium and Greek electronic artist Thaneco.
It is an album with a very specific meaning: it is a deep bow to the absolute
founders of cosmic and symphonic synthesizer music.
The Style: The marriage between the Berlin School and the Greek Symphony
The musical style of Homage Extra is a direct split between the two worlds of the honored artists. The album combines the hypnotic, minimalist structures of Klaus Schulze with the grand, melodic, and cinematic arrangements of Vangelis.
The Schulze element (The Hypnosis):
This manifests itself in the extremely long, hypnotic sequencer patterns. Just like Schulze in his heyday (think of albums like Timewind or Moondawn), Romerium and Thaneco build tracks around a single steadily evolving rhythm that continues for minutes, adorned with improvising analog synthesizer solos.
The Vangelis Element (The Drama):
This can be heard in the bombastic, almost orchestral synthesizer choirs and the heavy, majestic brass pads. The melodic lines are expansive and epic, heavily inspired by the iconic synthesizer work from soundtracks such as Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire.
The Mood: Monumental, Reverent, and Nostalgic
The atmosphere of the album balances between meditative depth and dramatic grandeur.
Cosmic Melancholy:
The album exudes a deep sense of nostalgia. It is a melancholic look back at the golden age of electronic music, filled with 'warm', slightly unstable analog sounds.
Spiritual Grandeur:
Where much modern ambient is cold or mechanical, Homage Extra feels warm and human. The tracks feel like monuments of sound; they radiate a deep awe for the grandeur of the universe, exactly as Schulze and Vangelis conveyed back then.
Critical Review
What makes Homage Extra so successful is that it is not a cheap copy. Romerium and Thaneco have grasped the essence of both artists. Thaneco excels in the complex, Schulze-esque sequencer lines, while Romerium uses his talent for melody and symphonic pop to establish the grand Vangelis atmosphere. The transition from rumbling, hypnotic Berlin arpeggios to expansive, cinematic orchestral themes feels organic and honors the unique legacy of both composers in a fantastic way.
Final Verdict
Homage Extra is a sincere and loving treasure map for lovers of classical electronic music. It succeeds in fusing the hypnotic transcendence of the Berlin School with the emotional impact of Greek synthesizer symphonies. For the seasoned synth fan, this is a beautiful tribute that shows how deeply the roots of Schulze and Vangelis are still anchored in the contemporary underground scene.
The Style: The marriage between the Berlin School and the Greek Symphony
The musical style of Homage Extra is a direct split between the two worlds of the honored artists. The album combines the hypnotic, minimalist structures of Klaus Schulze with the grand, melodic, and cinematic arrangements of Vangelis.
The Schulze element (The Hypnosis):
This manifests itself in the extremely long, hypnotic sequencer patterns. Just like Schulze in his heyday (think of albums like Timewind or Moondawn), Romerium and Thaneco build tracks around a single steadily evolving rhythm that continues for minutes, adorned with improvising analog synthesizer solos.
The Vangelis Element (The Drama):
This can be heard in the bombastic, almost orchestral synthesizer choirs and the heavy, majestic brass pads. The melodic lines are expansive and epic, heavily inspired by the iconic synthesizer work from soundtracks such as Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire.
The Mood: Monumental, Reverent, and Nostalgic
The atmosphere of the album balances between meditative depth and dramatic grandeur.
Cosmic Melancholy:
The album exudes a deep sense of nostalgia. It is a melancholic look back at the golden age of electronic music, filled with 'warm', slightly unstable analog sounds.
Spiritual Grandeur:
Where much modern ambient is cold or mechanical, Homage Extra feels warm and human. The tracks feel like monuments of sound; they radiate a deep awe for the grandeur of the universe, exactly as Schulze and Vangelis conveyed back then.
Critical Review
What makes Homage Extra so successful is that it is not a cheap copy. Romerium and Thaneco have grasped the essence of both artists. Thaneco excels in the complex, Schulze-esque sequencer lines, while Romerium uses his talent for melody and symphonic pop to establish the grand Vangelis atmosphere. The transition from rumbling, hypnotic Berlin arpeggios to expansive, cinematic orchestral themes feels organic and honors the unique legacy of both composers in a fantastic way.
Final Verdict
Homage Extra is a sincere and loving treasure map for lovers of classical electronic music. It succeeds in fusing the hypnotic transcendence of the Berlin School with the emotional impact of Greek synthesizer symphonies. For the seasoned synth fan, this is a beautiful tribute that shows how deeply the roots of Schulze and Vangelis are still anchored in the contemporary underground scene.