Cyberpunk

Title: CYBERPUNK
Catalogue Number: LAIR CD 1
Produced: 1991

The first of Snare's concept albums, "Cyberpunk" is inspired by the science fiction genre made popular by the novels of William Gibson and movies such as "Blade Runner" and "The Terminator". Snare's ambition was to create a soundtrack to this genre. He wanted an album that would not only be good music, but would bring to the mind's eye images of a futuristic metropolis, complete with street battles, drug trips and fantastic technology. "Cyberpunk" fulfils this aim admirably.

From the opening track, "Overture 2063", the listener is invited to begin imagining the late 21st Century. Synthesised sounds fit this world of artificiality as you are brought properly into a "Dark Future". This track sets the mood for the album with its distinct undertone of menace. It leads directly into "Computer Age", which is one of Snare's first original compositions. This is more upbeat and catchy but still with an edge, reflecting that computer technology can be good or evil depending upon the user.

Having established the future in broad strokes, the album then examines its component parts. "Neotribes" opens with the sounds of a full-scale riot, and its pounding war-drums describe a battle for supremacy between street clans. Following this conflict, the aural "camera" pans over a storm-lashed wasteland and into the hovel of a desperate man plugging his mind directly into "The Net". We follow his descent into a realm of cyberspace that glows with wonder and mystery.

"Cyborg" is a rapid, percussive track that brings to mind the half-man half-machine monstrosities that roam this future. More horror follows in "Psychoactive", the soundtrack of a bad drug trip, veering wildly between tranquillity and violence. The pace is maintained by the high-octane exploits of the "Netrunner" - rushing through cyberspace, risking everything for the buzz, always one step ahead of the authorities as he strives for freedom.

Above this frantic world, the "Orbitals" drift serenely through space… habitats of the rich, corporations surveying their domain, artificial intelligences plotting humanity's destiny. But it is back down to Earth for the one thing everyone needs to survive: "The Edge", where each of the previously-heard themes are woven into a powerful, orchestral finale.

Two additional tracks that were not on the original album round out this CD. "Riot Patrol" is a companion piece to "Neotribes", portraying the street battles from the point of view of the patrolling security forces, whereas "Netrunner (Dice With Danger)" is an extended 12" version of the original song.