Integral is an IDM project consisting of David Rotter and Rafael Milatz from Germany. On their debut album titled Rise, these gentlemen introduce dark compositions with a layered complexity. The music almost has the character of a soundtrack to a sci-fi movie. Slowly building up ambient sound layers are combined with fast electro rhythms, exciting drum patterns and all sorts of electronic sounds. Sometimes it all reminds of a less minimal variation on the music of Polygon Window and at other times the atmosphere is much more orchestral. Much is happening in the compositions, which each seem to tell their own little story in itself. Here Integral manages to address the listener on an intuitive level despite the mathematical complexity of their digital music. It is typical that the intensity in the music increases further down the track list. With compositions like ‘Moonwalk’ and ‘Back Here Alone’ this results in almost monumental pieces of music that reflect a quite intense emotionality. A nice recording.