Izlamaphobia by Muslimgauze

Percussive and mysterious, Muslimgauze's work explores a variant of the trance aesthetic that drives nearly all of his music. The droning tones and percussion patterns that underlie his past recordings are certainly in evidence, but on Izlamaphobia, Muslimgauze takes repetition to new extremes: at several points over the course of this two-CD set, I thought the disc was skipping in its player. The effect is disconcerting -even disorienting. There's a feeling of life out of balance, as if time has stopped and no distinction exists between up and down. Another thing about these tracks is that Muslimgauze has incorporated more forceful rhythm programs, giving the music an exaggerated industrial edge; he's also been exploring electronic textures well away from the presets, lending unique, Aphex Twin-like sounds to his sonic palette. These are helpful, positive touches - without sacrificing the organic warmth of his previous work, Muslimgauze is nurturing a cleaner, more futuristic and experimental sound.

Muslimgauze occupied a strange place in the musical world. He was a powerful, prolific innovator, releasing albums that were alternately beautiful and visceral, full of ambient electronics, polyrhythmic drumming and all kinds of voices and sound effects. The recordings earned him a devoted following in underground, experimental and industrial music circles worldwide.

The New York Times 1999