Ova: Tetrasomia Ova: Tetrasomia (Perceptual.net - 2001) With smooth electronic music and invigorating beats, Ova (a.k.a. Holmes Ives) examines the teachings of Empodocles, the ancient Greek philospher, he who gave us the elemental combo of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. So it makes sense that Tetrasomia is by turns as solid as a rock, light as a breeze, hot as a flame and fluid as a stream... After a big bang of its own, the mystic atmospheres of the Opening (Rhizae) spread by way of synth-and-vocal drones spiked with ancient beats and draped in luxurious synth sheets and nature sounds, shifting into a full-on (though ethereal) dancetronica number. Dreamlike synth patterns and wordless vocalizations from Seroya from are peppered with light, mechanistic e-percussion as Ariel Hoops (Kuanos) unfurls. Getting a bit funkier, Teeterboard (Tartaros) is injected with buzzy riffs and smart urban rhythmification. On a mellower note, chimingly pretty Tissue (Phiotes and Neikos) swirls like a beatless cyberminuet-in-space, wrapped with floating voice strands. Darker power surges through the onimous murk of Pole (Kinetike), where electroprimitive drums pound with determined fury. Sparkling with brassy samples, Hoop Diving (Gaia) investigates a '60s-ish spy groove twisted into a drum-driven digitronic spiral. Blending the pretty with the percussive, Straps (Aer) is awash in downtempo magic and majesty. A more-ambient expanse lies before Statue (Iatromantis) (7:11), though the track morphs into something beatier and more-electronic as it evolves; a few spacy glints add shiny futurism. The sleek urban soundscapes of Chimera (Helios) (4:08) close the disc in a final florish of electrofantasy. Like the four elements, the dozen rhythm-powered synthodysseys of Tetrasomia seem to be formed of various distinct forces... some magical, some musical. 70.5 minutes of creative electronica from Ova inspire an elemental 8.4 rating. Perceptual.net holds more answers... This review posted June 30, 2001 AmbiEntrance © 2001-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).