The Greek
minimal synth artist Doric has returned with his new full-length album
"Great Dead Cities" released digitally in February 2021 and
with the vinyl (transparent clear and black) format to follow, out on the
German label Cold & Young records. Doric (aka Stathis Leontiadis) has
delivered a great piece of work, true to his DIY and analogue spirit, stating
that “The Time has come, to lock yourself, to face the void, to lose
yourself”.
The album begins
in the best of ways with the monumental track "Shades". A desperate
cold wave tune, that’s still filled with humanity, with Doric’s despair found
all over the bleak lyrics. “In your heart, in your coal black heart, you
close the door and shut the world away...”. After that, we have the
addictive "Start Of The Lie", that just shows that Stathis was in
great form when recording this. On the next "The Breach" we have all
those 80’s synth pop electronic elements with a little touch of 70’s Kraftwerk.
While on the following "A-Live" and "Images" he displays effortlessly
his beloved minimal wave, synth punk style. He expands the atmosphere on the
instrumental "Ορχηστρικό Νο.5" where his synth melodies float lovely over the synthetic
rhythm. On "Something To Hold" we have a shift to a bit more new wave
direction, mainly due to his singing. Reminiscent of decades long gone by, but
still heartfelt. The album closes with "Cities Are Dead", the last of
eight tunes, showcasing yet again Doric’s expertise in cold, desolate soundscapes
with live electronics
All the songs
where written, performed and produced by Stathis Leontiadis in Athens, 2020. His
signature sound is dependent on the equipment he uses. All analogue machines
such as Korg Kr-55, Roland Tr-505 Rhythm Composer, Roland Tr-8s and Dreadbox
Typhon, Korg Arp Odyssey FS, Moog Minitaur, Minimoog Model D, Octave The Cat
Srm, Sequential Circuits Six-Trak synths. The album artwork is by Demeter of
5th Floor Entertainment.
Review by
Nick Drivas
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