AlbumsNovember 29, 201110,052 views

Zombi Surface To Air


Surface To Air
1. Challenger MP3 2. Digitalis 3. Legacy 4. Surface To Air 5. Night Rhythms
2006 Relapse Records
Our score 7

9/9/2006

The recent popularity of instrumental metal/hard rock has certainly provided loyal followings to acts such as Sunn 0))) and Kenoma. While a large majority of music fans are still making a fuss over these bands, I don't think the hype is exactly warranted and I was largely turned off by instrumental acts until I heard the Relapse Records duo known as Zombi. Taking notes from 1970s prog rock legends Rush, Zombi relies on thick bass lines, uniquely timed percussion, and vintage keyboards to create a sound that would be more than appropriate as the soundtrack for any 80s sci-fi flick or even Nintendo classics such as Metroid or Mega Man. While the absence of a vocalist has the tendency to bore many potential fans, Zombi offers enough in the form of skilled musicianship to effectively grasp the listener's attention. Even with a few tracks that extend beyond ten minutes in length, the use of various bass effects, multiple synthesizer tracks, off-time drum beats, and even a well-placed sample of choir singing should stimulate the listener to the point where vocals are not missed. The purpose of instrumental music is predominately to create atmosphere. Zombi certainly succeeds in this respect. This can largely be attributed to the fact that the members of Zombi actually use keyboards manufactured in the early 1980s. These vintage keyboards give the album a sense of space-age antiquity and flawlessly emulate the soundscape of 1980s science fiction. Bottom Line: If you enjoyed Zombi's debut, Cosmos, than this album will certainly appeal to you. Surface To Air is a must-have in the collection of any fan of instrumental music (or any 80s sci-fi geek).

22 comments

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jim_dangle_ 9/9/2006 10:01:31 PM

i think the second half of the review is missing... but all in all, i thought cosmos was great, and this cd was just alright.

xtroyx_ 9/9/2006 10:22:35 PM

cosmos was great. i'm looking forward to this one as well.

fuck_ 9/9/2006 11:10:51 PM

shit is good

chadster_ 9/9/2006 11:17:47 PM

Cool history lesson on keyboards, where's the review? P.S. this album pales in comparison to "Cosmos"

xCERVIXDESTROYERx_ 9/9/2006 11:36:58 PM

boooring. pretentious art gay shite.

anonymous 9/9/2006 11:37:33 PM

I thought this came out months ago. Oh well, it's pretty lame compared to Cosmos.

Coldchain_ 9/9/2006 11:54:57 PM

I'm suprised Joel left out any comparisons to Goblin, since it is they who Zombi are trying to emulate. Good band though.

bastardmaker_ 9/10/2006 12:34:16 AM

shit is boring as f*ck live, I dont think it could possibly sound good on disc. shit is whack yo

mojotfb_ 9/10/2006 4:32:18 AM

Zombi rules.

God_ 9/10/2006 12:31:42 PM

great album, enuff said.

maniac_ 9/10/2006 12:40:20 PM

ok buddy.. so why did you give it a 7?? this should deserve better.. surface to air f*cking rocks and it's even better live.. there.. that's my pretentiousness for the day.

hotaction_ 9/10/2006 1:11:01 PM

this cd is amazing. ive been listening to it for months

xscarlitox_ 9/10/2006 1:51:50 PM

this album sucks huge dong compared to cosmos.

Alex_ 9/10/2006 1:53:42 PM

They sound more like Goblin rather than Rush man, check out Goblin that's the band that Dario Argento collaborated with to write tons of horror movie music with in Italy. This band even named Goblin as a mjaor inspiration too.

Murph_ 9/10/2006 2:23:20 PM

saw em live a couple of weeks ago in pdx. good musicians, but i can't shake the sentiment that it all sounds too much like manheim steamroller. overall pretty boring. don cab was way better.

bloodychainsaw_ 9/10/2006 4:17:30 PM

no mention of Goblin?! these guys arent even half as talented as the bands they ripoff. get the buio omega ost instead

smokeoutloud_ 9/11/2006 2:39:57 PM

if you like instrumental music, Zombi is where its at. I dig many sci-fi movie soundtracks, i've heard they might be recreating some stuff from the 70's movie Saturn 3. (Harvey Keitel, Kirk Douglas, Farah Fawcet) It's a monster of a soundtrack, real good stuff.

micah _ 9/11/2006 2:41:58 PM

zombi tour ep > cosmos + surface to air

Fur_Beach_ 9/11/2006 6:54:25 PM

This band/album rules. John carpenter Soundtrack meets Goblin.

veganstastegood_ 9/12/2006 1:56:58 AM

i like

Eric_ 3/26/2008 2:08:19 AM

I thought this album was great... A little repetitive at times but still. It's impressive that to contain their rock sound they don't even use a single guitar note during this entire album.

john chrzan_ 3/31/2011 2:21:51 AM

saw these guy`s with is isis in connecticut in 2006 it was epic.