Reviews
“Sonic Soundscapes That Leave You Breathless!!” August 17, 2010
Review of Infinite Octaves
by Kristian Persson (Helsingborg, Sweden)
There are times in our life when we want to escape reality for a while, times when we simply have had enough of everyday stress in life. I had the latter not long ago, and was looking for something very spectacular, not to mention epic, in terms of space-music (I’m a die-hard space-music/new age fan myself)) so I stumbled across this masterpiece called ‘Infinite Octaves’ by Andrew Forrest while browsing CDBABY for new ambient/space music, and boy am I glad I did?!. This is exactly what I’ve been wanting, and have been looking for for “ages”.
The album is truly spectacular, both in terms of how immersive it is, and how it’s structured. Surely, most of us “space enthusiasts” knows about Jonn Serrie and hail him as the “King” of space-music, but Andrew Forrest must be getting very close, and certainly with this masterpiece!. I even think he surpasses some of Jonn’s better albums with this release. What you will get here is stunning beauty from start to finish. All tracks are floating in and out, creating a masterfully done sonic soundscape that breathes along in a magnificent way.
There are moments with some very deep-space sounding atmospheric sounds, just to change with long floating beautifully done sequencing. And speaking of beautiful sequencing. Listen to tracks such as ‘Through the Seventh Stargate’ and ‘Beyond the Beyond’ and you will be in for a treat.
It’s such a dreamlike album, and it will grab your attention from the very first track to the very last track (and second!) with it’s beautifully layered sequencing and a stunning cinematic soundscapes that leaves you breathless!.
I will, without a doubt, give this album a 5 star rating!. This is definitely Andrew Forrest at his best. Epic!!
E-dition EM Magazine
Reviews by Music Critic Bert Strolenberg, Holland
Andrew Forrest – Infinite Octaves CD
Private Release, 2009
After a long hiatus of seven years, Andrew Forrest finally brings us the “final” chapter of his “Star- System Trilogy”, which is actually not the third but the first volume. “Infinite Octaves” is a stunning work of space music in the true sense, offering a free form, gentle and gracious ride through higher spheres and other realities. The four extended tracks evoke a truly spatial and dimensional-shift, as it glides peacefully and almost fluidly through the grand canyon of spaces with highly cinematic and uplifting effect. It’s warm and embracing, meant for deep listening and inner awareness as it caresses the mind and soul. These magical soundscapes with occasional sequencer patterns fit into the grand design of all things, evoking multi-coloured emotions and insights, keenly avoiding the new-age trap as the grand journey smoothly unfolds.
All in all, “Infinite Octaves” makes a sensational and truly magical album.
Bravo, Mr Forrest!
Bert Strolenberg
www.sonicimmersion.org
MY CHOICE: ANDREW FORREST ~ STARSEED
Rating: 4 stars
The music on Starseed is split in two long tracks, each of 30 minutes. “Interstellar Harmonics” is a delightful but grand space symphony offering lush floating and most of all heavenly sounding textures, which are both timeless and beautiful. Halfway starts a sequence accompanied by grand soundscapes. Sometimes the music is a bit reminiscent of Constance Demby, due to the use of heavenly choirs. The first ten minutes of the second track are excellent as well, but then this engaging atmosphere is replaced by some rather searching stuff, before all returns to the music of the beginning at the 18 minute mark. Starseed is a magnificent and excellently produced work of art. I strongly recommend it to all fans of space music.
MY CHOICE: ANDREW FORREST ~ ALPHA-OMEGA
Rating: 4 stars
Alpha-Omega is the final chapter of the Star-System trilogy, released in the year Andrew Forrest permanently moved to New Zealand. The album contains seven tracks making up 74 minutes of ethereal heavenly music. At times a bit reminiscent of the floating works of Michael Stearns, the music breaths a great sense of space and relaxation. “Lightyears” features a distinct use of sequences embedded in celestial atmospheres, sometimes balancing on the edge of New Age, while the second track merely contains choirs and isn’t that spacey to my ears. Great space textures and choirs lead the way on the third track before another highlight can be heard in the strong “Parallel Worlds”, which has a great celestial impact and synthesizer effects. “Dark Portal” sounds overall majestic with its nice flute additions, before we get to the title track of the album. This is without doubt the strongest track, with its deep space realms and uplifting soundscapes. The nice drifting “Heavenly Host” brings the album to a beautiful close. This album can definitely compete with its predecessor. Now we have to wait for the release on CD of the first part of the trilogy, “Infinite Octaves”.
VISION MAGAZINE USA, May 2003
Article written by Katie Gallanti, Editor
This month I would like to draw your attention to Andrew Forrest, an exceptional British artist and musician that is gaining greater and greater recognition in the international arena for both his art and his incredible music.
Andrew Forrest is, in the opinion of a growing number of enthusiastic fans, an artist that is bringing a unique contribution to the raising of the frequencies on planet Earth by introducing truly stunning metaphysical visual art and breathtakingly inspiring music.
Andrew is the author of numerous paintings as well as the composer of various CD’s that stand out amongst the current New Consciousness musical productions for their depth, scope, awe inducing quality and content. Andrew’s art is fantastic but his music is even more remarkable and outstanding. He is a true composer, a Mozart of the 21st century that takes metaphysical music to a whole new level. If you think I might be exaggerating, I recommend you listen to Andrew’s CD ‘Starseed’ or ‘Alpha ~ Omega’ and you will soon realize that my words have not succeeded in even scratching the surface in describing the beauty and expansiveness of Andrew’s music. The sweeping soundscapes, the humming of whales, the angelic-like choirs and the skillfully crafted buildup of atmospheres create a succession of moods and emotions that lead us into a journey beyond time and space, connecting us to the forgotten multi dimensional parts of our selves and to the subtle energies of the cosmic realms. Andrew’s CDs are not just music but journeys to the infinite and beyond.
Listening to Andrew’s music, we are transported to an energetic space of such refinement and splendor, so far from our ordinary consciousness, that yet succeeds in bringing us a feeling of returning home. Andrew’s music induces a homesickness, a longing of the Heart for a dimension of purity, of peace, of beauty that goes beyond words. Higher dimensions of existence that at some level of our being, we powerfully know and recognize. A vibration that is not of here, but yet, is familiar and true to our Soul.
Andrew’s music and art open portals through the dimensions and we are blessed with the gift of such a skillful and talented guide. Sometimes I feel that Andrew has captured the true essence of the Divine in musical form like no other musician of our time.
Vision Magazine – ALCHEMY CD Review – 2003
Katie Gallanti, Editor
Andrew Forrest’s long awaited new CD, his first release
since 1998, is finally available to the public. Picking up from where his last composition ‘Alpha~Omega’ left off, in the first track we find again the deep epic instrumental sound-scapes that lead the way on an inner journey into remote space and timelessness. But as we journey further into ‘Alchemy’ we find that the soul sweeping harmonics and trance-ambient movements so characteristic of Andrew’s work are intermittently blended with a new intimate and heart centred tone. We find the melodies of a traditional piano and the sounds of shamanic voices, earthly signatures amidst cosmic harmonies, creating the feeling of a true bridge between heaven and earth.
This is an alchemy of soul and heart, of cosmic and earthly, a sacred marriage that, bringing light into matter, transmutes ordinary consciousness into gold. As we are transported along waves of light, emotion and masterfully crafted music, we too are sucked into the current of this alchemical river of sound. A river from which we emerge transformed.
Andrew Forrest has yet again created a musical jewel that transcends words, an inspiring and truly beautiful work of the heart.
Vision Magazine – Alpha~Omega CD Review
Katie Gallanti, Editor
Alpha~Omega, created by Andrew Forrest, a reclusive English musician and painter of unique genius, is a composition that takes you on a journey to the infinite and beyond. Moody and emotional in tracks such as “In Search of Seraphim”, it soon explodes into melodies where the human voice becomes instrumental and communes with choirs of angels. Andrew Forrest has a gift that very few possess: the gift of an untainted mystical vision with an outstanding talent to match. Awe inspiring.
SOUND ON SOUND, International recording magazine
Review of ‘STARSEED’ by John Harris, 1998
Andrew’s CD album, Starseed, features two long compositions lasting nearly 30 minutes each! Where Andrew’s CD is head and shoulders above the rest is in its recording quality, which is generally excellent. The development of the compositions is also important, and Andrew avoids the pitfall of taking a single idea and running with it (or, in this case, floating with it) for 30 minutes. At the same time, the movement from one part of the arrangement to another in this type of contemplative music, must not jar – a smooth segue is what is required, and this he achieves with ease.
Sonically, the clarity in the high-frequency range is great, as revealed by the frequent bell and gong sounds – some real, some synthesised. I always had difficulty with my Casio DAT machine in the upper-mids, so I take my hat off to a man who can avoid these frequencies sounding just a touch harsh! Andrew’s skill at layering sounds is also well developed, with a soundscape rich in presence – the aforementioned bells, a mid-range occupied by expansive mellow string and voice chords, and the expected use of slow-attack sounds and burbling, echoed arpeggios and loops.
Drones play a large part in this kind of transcendental meditative music, but fortunately Andrew has avoided over-using them. Low-frequency synths tend to work well with a string arrangement, and their low, growling tones are treated with reverb, which shifts the sound effortlessly within the stereo image.
The mixing is faultless. I think my favourite piece is the second, which offers more light and shade by cutting to piano for part of the composition.
BACKROADS MUSIC
Lloyd Barde, USA music distributor
Years ago I was given a copy of this artist’s debut CD “Starseed”, and it remains a personal favourite. In the realm of the best works of Serrie, Parsons, Stearns and other visionary artists, this is timeless music of the highest quality. “Starseed” is a classic, best selling album.
Alpha Omega instils a sense of travel and ‘journey’ is the operative word, as this music is easily adaptable to shamanic journeys, inner exploration and cosmic escapism into traversing other dimensions. Seven tracks in all allow an awe-inspiring and occasionally ominous yet benign view of the other worlds portrayed in this celestial music.