Klangstein: Viela (Album) – 2021 – SINE MUSIC
Genre: Electronica
Intro
It happened in 2015, I was browsing qobuz for new releases in electronica and came across an appealing album with a white cover titled Orbit. From Klangstein, a.k.a. Torben Weber near Frankfurt deep in the Hessian Ried. I listened and liked the electronic downtempo compositions, beautifully recorded and – as usual with Sine Music from Villingen-Schwenningen – with an excellent sound quality that has reference status. Then it got quiet around Klangstein – well at least for me – because I had turned more and more to other styles, still Electronica, though, but up to Trance, Deep House, Minimal/TechHouse and Techno. And so we lost track of each other a bit.
The album „Viela“
Time travel into the year 2021, in the middle of the pandemic, a time where music never before has taken such a high priority in my life. I had reactivated qobuz as a test and browsed through their electronica new releases and came across an album with a discreet blue cover and the stylish title „Klangstein – Viela“. In other words, an old familiar face.
While listening thru, I got hooked on the third track „Ganz leise (Viela Edit)“. Actually, the entire track sounded familiar, which was true, as Klangstein had already released the track in various remixes back in 2010. In the meantime I should have heard the track in the „Viela Edit“ about 50 times. „Ganz leise“ is one of those songs that gives me a 9.5 quake on the EDM Richter scale. With a melancholic and sad arrangement, restrained forward-driving beats and the beguiling vocals of Sylvia Gerlach, this track sends a pleasant shiver up your spine – and has a huge dancefloor potential.
Also a fairly well-known DJ friend from Austria, to whom I had sent the YouTube link to the track, was also thrilled. „If you add a groovy bassline and some percussion stuff to it, „Ganz leise“ definitely becomes a floor killer“, Blockoland said and I absolutely agree with him. Let’s push it with a fat remix and we’ll promote it in all channels!
While the track „Viela“ is diving slightly into deep house spheres, „Chemicals“ and „Nighflight“ are pleasing with a sultry stomping driving bassline and a fascinating monotonous drive.
The downtempo track „Querbeat“ on the other hand is a fascinating example of experimental ambient sounds, the chilling „Some Quiet Moments in the Elevator“ comes along with pulsating synth sequences in best downtempo manner and was already recorded on the EP „The Elevator Sessions 01“ released in 2018 on Klangstein’s own schalldeluxe label.
„Electric Penguin“ is another time travel, teleporting us to the 80s and is bringing back some memories about EBM, while “ Little Satellite“ may also be used as a whimsical, upbeat mini-soundtrack for the flight of the Voyager satellites through deep space.
Sound Quality
The album is available in 24 Bit / 44.1 kHz and convinces with an excellent sound over the whole frequency spectrum.
The Bottom Line
The album „Viela“ covers an enormous spectrum of modern electronic music with ambient, chillout, deep house and downtempo to midtempo dancefloor numbers and is convincing with an excellent sound quality. If there is anything at all to criticize, it might Klangsteins broad genre foray on Viela. A slightly stronger focus on electronic dance music would certainly not be a disadvantage for the Klangstein project.
Facts about the album „Viela“ by Klangstein
Artist: Klangstein
Album: Viela
Label: SINE MUSIC
Release Date: January 29, 2021
Electronic • 12 Tracks • 01h 13m 33s
Available on Qobuz in Hi-Res Audio
24 bits 44.1 kHz – Stereo
Mein Test-Equiment:
Studio 1 (High End):
- 2 x System Audio SA Mantra 50 (front)
- 1x System Audio SA Mantra 10 AV (center)
- 2x System Audio SA Legend 5 (Rear)
- 1 x System Audio Saxo 10 (Subwoofer)
- 4 x Onkyo SKH-410 (B) (Dolby Atmos)
- Auralic Altair (Audio Streaming Client mit max. 32 Bit / 384 kHz)
- NVIDIA Shield Pro mit Plex, Kodi (max 192 kHz für Audio, Tidal (MQA Streaming Client)
- AppleTV 4K (Streaming Client) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Amazon Cube 4K (Streaming Client) Dolby Atmos (restricted), HDR, Dolby Vision
- Panasonic DP-UB9004 (4K UHD Player) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Oppo UDP-203 (4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player) Dolby Atmos, HDR, Dolby Vision
- Yamaha CX-A5100 (Preamp) 4K, Dolby Atmos, Hi-res
- Yamaha MX -A5000 (Power Amp)
- Sony KD-55A1 (TV) 4K OLED, HDR, Dolby Vision
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