Certain discs have a habit of catching you completely unaware. Unaware in this case that the music belonging to such mediocre cover art and cringe inducing online self-promotion could actually be worth listening to. Axxonn are a two-piece from Brisbane who tread what presently seems to be the almost overbearingly familiar territory of ambient synth noise action with vaguely kraut overtones. Yet that disclaimer aside, it seems that if anything Axxonn serve as a reminder of why this particular cluster of sounds and influences is so popular at the present moment, that is, it seems to be yielding consistently interesting and inspired results.

This self-released CDR begins with quiet ambient synth washes that immediately recall Stars of the Lid or Eluvium. Yet it is probably more accurate to point to the overwhelming influence throughout the disc of classic German synth experimentalists such as Klaus Schulze. It is the details that prove the most transfixing, rather than an overwhelming torrent of keyboards. This first section of the disc (entitled “White Glare”) hints at a transcendence that glistens underneath the slowly melting drone.

Transcendence finally arrives in the second section (“Stolen Pens from the Hyatt”) when a sudden increase in volume is met with sudden stabs at the keys walking a fine line between the previous section’s technologic dreaming and hints of a more trash-rock aesthetic.

The third and final section of the disc is where the kraut influence comes to the fore. The loud and distorted synth sounds disintegrate and a strange wobbly rhythm takes it place. The sound of gurgling electronics and a plodding drone in the background achieves an ominous effect that is positively industrial, recalling some of the best bits of Nurse with Wound and Throbbing Gristle. A very pleasant surprise indeed. 9/10 -- Tim Gentles (14 July, 2009)