HEINRICH DRESSEL - COMPLETION OF THE AMPHORAS TABLE (Strange Life)

Valerio Lombardozzi’s third and final part of the “Studium Amphorae” segues nicely from where we left off last, the Italian’s vintage analogue explorations covering this most peculiar of subjects. For those who don’t know, Heinrich Dressel was a German archaeologist of the 19th century, whose particular expertise were Roman ruins. Lombardozzi, who runs the excellent minimalrome label, has compiled this triumvirate of synthesizer epics using in particular the Elka Synthex, a rare piece of kit that lends its tone to this series of dark compositions.

Like the first two, “Completion” veers between 105-110 bpm electro and the sort of meandering ambience that we have come to expect from label boss Danny Wolfers. Deep down the influence of Claudio Simonetti is never far away and the “Suspiria”-esque tones of the opening track “Back to Ripa Grande” give an indication as to Lombardozzi’s intentions. It’s a hint of a more sophisticated, refracted approach from him, which is given further evidence by the crystalline subtlety of ” Stillness on the Bottom of the River”. This never saunters into a full melody like a lot of his other songs, but instead hovers on the surface, creating tension.

The centrepiece is “Planning the Final Table”, a 12 minute epic that serves as the triumvirate’s defining moment. It’s the summation of the previous 2 albums, and is appropriately textured enough to give you a satisfying moment of surveying all 3 works. There are hints of Pittsburgh duo Zombi that pop up, but unlike them, Lombardozzi refrains from climatic rhythmic flourishes, instead allowing his graceful key changes and arpeggios wash over you. The cinematic throb of “Galba Imprimatur” adds a dancefloor nous that is the cornerstone of the Dressel aesthetic, and the title track closer ends matters with a satisfactory flourish. Strange Life lives up to its name with the closer of a superb trilogy.

Toby Frith