Black 8 – Lunar EP [Afterglow]

Following the success of 2021's 'Dancing By The Sea', Black 8 returns to Afterglow for a new EP 'Lunar'. Based in Cairo, the Egyptian artist has been a mainstay of the electronic music underground for the better part of two decades. Beloved for his detailed progressive house creations, the Black 8 sonic aesthetic stretches far beyond the confines of this genre, as evidenced by a broad spectrum of support from Danny Tenaglia, Dubfire, Hernan Cattaneo, John Digweed, Nick Warren, Nicole Moudaber, Sasha and Solomun, amongst others. Long standing imprints in Balance Music, The Soundgarden and Sudbeat have been primary homes across the decade, as he continues to maneuver himself through the trend-driven confines of electronic music. Afterglow has also been a home for Black 8, with the mystical sounds of 'Dancing By The Seas' effectively relaunching the label in 2021. Now, following a pair of quality outings for his QuantumusiQ imprint, Black 8 returns to Afterglow with his first release of the year 'Lunar'.

Beginning with the astral monochromes of the title selection, Black 8's craftsmanship reveals itself, as phasing sonics and percolating effects flicker atop muscular kick drums and chunky grooves. It's this slow-burning drawl which carves out a heady path into a thought provoking break, one which proves to be both cosmic and emotive. Ethereal phrasing drifts amidst icy pads and billowing sonics for a prophetic mood across the interlude, eventually giving way to a finale of cleverly coaxed synth mutations that are nicely suited to the astute dancefloors out there.

Beneath the prophetic sounds of 'Lunar' lies the equally impressive 'Bayek Of Siwa'. Here Black 8's elusive production chops serve his well as he crafts an eight minute journey that is bursting with ultrasonic qualities and a keen sense of rhythm and groove. Flowing through shuffled percussive arrangements, retro acid lines and tasteful melodic fragments, the first act evolves with a veteran's savvy, eventually revealing menacing chord stabs and an overall foreboding sense which drives energy and mood into the second act. Not content to rest on his laurels, Black 8 pushes his creative boundaries further here, introducing a cross-cultural lead which conjures up images of the ancient Egyptian deserts, as flurries of drums and a vortex of noise ultimately summons a heady finale to round out the release with what might be Black 8's most far-reaching production to date. Highly recommended.

Buy: https://tinyurl.com/mub5d3es

Release Date: 02-08-2023

Release Promo: http://releasepromo.com

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