There are more bands who create a mixture of drum ‘n bass with guitar-oriented music. Pitchshifter and Soundisciples for instance. THE ANCIENT GALLERY however put in the element of (Gothic) electro as well and sometimes seems to be inspired by a lot more. There`s trip-hop, ambient, but also almost bluesy guitars during ‘Va Banque’ (with the dark voice of BBreuler). Opener ‘Alles’ starts with electronic sounds, but transforms into a cold electro/ guitar piece in which the spoken – German – voice of Robin Weinhold creates a feeling of distance. The guitar plays a prominent part in songs like ‘Destinations’, ‘Nirgendwann’ and ‘Teil Das Ganzen’. The threatening sound of ‘Ohne Wissen’ reminds me a bit of an industrial orientated Drown. Especially the voice of Robin and the mixture of strange, pounding sounds and heavy guitar riffs create a menacing song. ‘Druck (25-torr)` has that same distant feeling, but this time the duet of Robin and Antje Dieckmann (Mortalia) makes it even more oppressing.

‘Ultima Ratio (kopfdelay)’ is the perfect combination of drum ‘n bass and heavy guitar explosions. The strange ‘Jemand Geht’ is typical drum ’n bass rhythms with cold (Gothic style) spoken voices of Uta von Kohlenbrenner and Sebastian K. Liebich. The almost whispering voice of Andy Weinhold (who also plays guitar) during ‘November Euka’ puts the music from THE ANCIENT GALLERY into an even more distant world. ‘Nichts’ ends this record in perfect style. Again some drum ‘n bass, heavy guitars and a singer who spits out the words. A diverse, well produced album. THE ANCIENT GALLERY proves, once again, that there`s more to the German electro-meets-guitar-sound than the obvious Rammstein sound. Hopefully the rest of the world will agree…