Black Tempest - Secret Astronomies

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4...according to our Brett on Fri 18 Feb, 2011.

The music of Black Tempest is new to me but I know we've stocked a couple of his/her/their releases in the past (both self-released and via Apollolaan) and they seemed quite popular. I can see why as a fine skill at mining the cosmic gold mine has been displayed in the tracks on this new one thus far.. It's pure synth-powered sci-fi and the grainy quality of it suggests the hard variety (think the dirty, cobbled together Nostromo of Alien, battered, flickering computer systems and all) rather than the soft (all shiny surfaces, spotless uniforms and space dudes with nary a hair out of place). There are plently of Zombi moments as well as conjurings of Emeralds and the like but for the most part it's really got its own thing going on as it morphs from passage to passage, never stopping off in one place long enough for your interest to wander. I look forward to hearing more..

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In which Black Tempest takes the burbling synths and majestic mellotrons sound of the Proxima
series and leaves the solar system far behind. On the launch pad, Cosmic Wand takes off where
Ex Proxima left us, with familiar analogue Moogs and Doepfer sequencing. Whirling Wheel
features spiraling guitars, taking us into a gentle orbit. Merunatia and Starway provide a slingshot
around the inner planets, gradually building the momentum of our craft. Finally, Cosmic Wand is
re-visited, fed through convolution delays until the edges are blurred and smoothed, allowing us
to achieve light speed and the final escape from the gravity well of our solar system.

Secret Astronomies is released by Tempest Towers Recordings on 8th February 2011. Visit http://
www.noiseweb.co.uk for more information.

Reviews of Previous Black Tempest Albums:

"The latest release under the BLACK TEMPEST moniker is Proxima…a massive work of some truly
amazing cosmic music. Flowing naturally like ocean currents, Proxima is seemless and organic. Over 52
minutes, the three tracks that comprise Proxima weave pastoral and heavenly synth washes and sequences
with tasteful processed guitar and electronics. The longer the song the more difficult it is to keep a listener
captivated…that is not a problem with this album. The different parts in each composition come in and out
at exactly the right moment keeping the listener attentive and engulfed in the music from beginning to end.
Nothing about this album sounds forced at all. When I listen to this disc, I am taken to a different place each
time. It’s the perfect soundtrack for inner peace and understanding."

Dave W of White Hills

"If Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze and early Jean-Michel Jarre are your thing (and, believe me, they
really should be) then you will love the new release "Proxima" by Black Tempest, a.k.a. Stephen Bradbury.
Combining the best of analogue sequencing with drifting chords, vintage synth effects and tasteful guitars
and bass, I loved this. Split into three sections covering 52 minutes, the album takes all the best bits of the
Berlin School and reworks those parts into analogue heaven; specifically that provided by Moog, Doepfer
and Roland. The sequences don't outstay their welcome, as can be the case with new BS material, and the
overall form of the three compositions is very pleasing. Electric guitar parts are subtle and don't (as could be
the case with a certain Mr Froese) overwhelm the tracks. I suppose "Phaedra" would be the nearest sonic
comparison. This album will be receiving regular play at Palmer Towers."

Steve Palmer at Terrascope (http://www.terrascope.co.uk)