Herrmann Kristoffersen - Gone Gold - Bytes Records | The Electro Review

​Herrmann Kristoffersen
Gone Gold
Bytes Records
TBR: 23rd April


This second release from the collaboration project between Kristina Kristoffersen and Flug 8's Daniel Herrmann is inspired by Need For Speed. This foundational racing game didn't have a proper soundtrack so the producers decided to make one. Taking their opaque electro and kosmische techno fusion to new levels of playability, the acceleration inspired sounds will take us on exciting digital journeys. Named after a term in gaming in which a store quality gold pressed CD is released, from the days when all CDs of store quality were made using gold, this was a benchmark for game designers to aspire to. Made during lockdown across Denmark and Frankfurt, each track is named after a specific gaming term. Rather than tell you what they all mean, why not see if you can answer in the comments.


It opens with 1LC, twinkling synths glitter along the lines of a deep horizon. Drums enter, snare and kick bounce from bar to bar as cymbal aligns the amplitudes. A new layer of tone falls into place, distinctive jangling harmony pumps up the bodywork with a hungry and resonant progression. The fill builds with gradual incline until it begins to overpower the rest of the reverberations. Branches of melody then waver out in dancing spirals that leap and detach from the main function off sound.


Next, an ambient cavernous drip melody opens out. This is then joined by a plucky bassline that flies open and illuminates the drum-score. A steady minimal kick and snare loop frames a punching rhythm that focusses yet leaves room for imagination. Funky drive pushes the track forward in a continual dream-state. Mud continues, it then adds whistle tones and ambient backdrops to the motion. Then, a synthesiser scale begins to revolve on a sixpence right in the centre of the track. It adds a hypnotic and euphoric culmination to the progression.


PVE starts with a distorted chime that rings out in a slow tempo along a subtle vibrating bass. This continues, the pitch changes and suddenly a new dimension of sound is revealed. Strange harmonies chirp in shifting patterns around the steady but wavering bell tone. Glitches and volume jumps decorate the motion of notes which continue to whip around the slow and mournful chime. A cymbal tap breaks the relative silence, it sounds once before disappearing again. Slight changes in the mix bring out ghostly shapes from the now familiar repetition of enchanting similarities.


With a shudder of waking and jingles of digital tones the next track begins. Bass pushes the rhythm forward, it kicks and sticks with a fast breathing rate, a perfect tempo for aerobics perhaps, or over taking first place on the final lap. Strange drones form like hedgerows in the periphery and buzzing sensations begin to rise and form resonating thunder within the rhythm. 4X progresses in mirrored avenues, the original flow becoming a tributary to the new and greater sound from which it manifests.


An energetic electronic kick opens. Then, graceful and meandering tones wobble into chords that bounce like sunshine on tarmac. Crowds of spectators in the distance stand in anticipation for what is to break forward. A drumming layer keeps time while spanning synths glisten and warp in slow moving swooshes. The repeating chords begin to take on a form of their own as their persistence pays off. These become a framework for more ephemeral harmonies that shine out from the melody. AFK is an upbeat and dreamy number that brings home a sense of completion.


Gone Gold is next. It starts with clicks and bass that bounce from spongy textures. A chirping radial synthesiser tone begins to throw notes in repeating tangents as a warming under-layer grows like fluffy carpet. Long notes explore deep areas of sound as the glittering overhead lights maintain a constant source of illumination. Horn sounds start to evaporate from the deep chasms and echo through chambers of ever-increasing difficulty.


The final number grows on a tree of fast bass clicks. Thumping kick resonates with wooden chunks in a seamless flow of percussion. Then, a euphoria of synthesiser flows through a silken opening and opens like poured cream over the foundation. The drums disappear while elegant draperies continue to glow with sheen. A new rhythm is added, the layer sits in the centre of multi-tonal atmospheres which hang gently in low density clouds above.


You can find Herrmann Kristoffersen on Bandcamp


Listen to Herrmann Kristoffersen on Soundcloud


And Spotify


Follow Herrmann Kristoffersen on Facebook