Rainbow Serpent ~ Germany

Voyager (1996)

---Dec 2004

I reviewed Rainbow Serpent's 3rd album Mosaique awhile back and since I enjoyed that one quite a bit, I jumped at the chance to pick up three more at a great price. This is Rainbow Serpent’s second effort and pretty much like the other in the sense that it's familiar, yet very different. Seems to cover all eras of Tangerine Dream and progresses into the 90’s where they didn’t (including nods to modernism like techno). This is definitely not “The Berlin Switch” on the computer like the one man bands on Groove, but rather a well thought out ensemble effort. Nor is it retro minded like Radio Massacre International or Redshift. More forward thinking here.

---10/20/2025

As noted below, it becomes quite apparent how much I dug in for the Berlin School acts in the 2004 and 2005 time frame. The album starts off with acoustic piano and then sort of wanders into space, which considering the concept of the album, makes complete sense. Eventually the rhythms and sequencers start to roll in, and we're in familiar Tangerine Dream territory. As least if Hyperborea and Poland were the years of choice. Eventually the album moves into the 90s and becomes more beat heavy in places. This is a welcome development considering it's an accompaniment rather than a distracting feature. The album is broken into three long suites, with multiple sub-themes. The latter two offer more variance in sound.

There is something very comfortable in listening to these Berlin School albums. They bring peace and happiness to me at least. Drift off into space and let's see what doors will open this time?

Ownership: 1996 Ardema (CD). Poster booklet with recording and instrumentation details.

12//04 (acquired / review); 5/4/19; 10/20/25 (update)

Pulse (2000)

---Dec 2004

The last of the batch, and the latest album I own by Rainbow Serpent. This is a definite step up from the other three. There's a real flow here between the tracks, with sequencers going everywhere and digital choral voice providing atmosphere. Plenty of Schulze style solos as well. Many ideas are employed, a great one to just have in the background while reading, researching, writing, etc.... This is really a fantastic release and a great example of modern electronic music.

---12/26/23

For those who cannot possibly get enough of the classic Tangerine Dream sound, I would suggest you add this title to your want list. A wire must have been crossed somewhere in my mind as Pulse ended up being my lowest rated album by the duo, even though I haven't heard most of the albums by them since then. At the time of purchase I was beginning to really load up on Berlin School Electronic albums from the renaissance era (late 90s / early 00s), so I was more enthusiastic on first listen. In reflection, Pulse is very much "in the pocket" for the style. I'll go for another listen soon and see where I stand at that point.

Ownership: 2000 Manikin (CD). Booklet with instrumentation and recording details.

12//04 (acquired / review); 12/26/23 (update)
 

Futuregate (1995)

---Dec 2004

The debut album by this German group who have a unique take on the Berlin school of electronics. I’ve now heard the first three, and this one would be the most predictable of the bunch. A little tighter Tangerine Dream period here, as there isn't as much of a reach back – 1977 is about as far back as some of the sounds you’ll hear. Many early 80's references. While none of Rainbow Serpent’s albums have wowed me like Radio Massacre International or Redshift, I find these all a very pleasant listen. The next two were more varied and interesting, though I’ll score this the same for now.

---5/6/17

Rainbow Serpent were one of a handful of Berlin School revivalists from the Fatherland. They're a duo who have an arsenal of keyboards at their disposal. Mostly newer toys, not so much a vintage collection. Their blueprint for Futuregate can be found on Tangerine Dream's Tangram, and this album could represents outtakes from that session. There are worse ideas than following Tangerine Dream at the beginning of Schmoelling's career.

The cover looks like some cheap home computer printout, and one would expect this to be a CD-R. But it's a factory cut CD, and the booklet is made of the proper stock. 

Ownership: 1995 Ardema (CD). Red label.

5/6/17 (review); 2/1/19

Also own and need to review Mosaique.

According to Discogs, Rainbow Serpent released 18 albums in total until stopping in 2010.

5/6/17 (new entry)