In a certain aspect Tonikom's second release may be compared to its predecessor, the debut album 'Epoch'. Because, once again, it seems that this undoubtedly gifted composer either flatly refuses or just isn't capable to impose a satisfying amount of consistency upon a collection of tracks that constitute an album.

Though I generally always welcome a certain amount of variety on whatever album (in my opinion being an artist implies being capable of surprising your audience), I find it equal important that, in all its variety, a collection of album tracks posesses a kind of common denominator. Despite the above average quality of this album I haven't been able to find that common ground.

On this completely instrumental and predominantly electronic album Tonikom appears not to be willing to make a real choice. Triphop influences (Fluoresence), break beat (f.i. Temporarius Delerium, which starts off with a very nice, repeating sample, that, somewhere halfway the track, is replaced by a heavy breakbeat rhythm), drum'n'bass, idm, tribal ambient: you name it, The Sniper's Veil's got it. Some tracks will do very well on the dancefloor. Other tracks will be good company in a lounge environment.

To me it's plain that Tonikom's got enough talent to create wonderful and diverse things, but somehow I can't get rid of the impression that several aspects of her talent still have to find a proper and common place to land.

Addionally, I have to conclude that a prominent ingredient of music in general is somewhat underrepresented: emotion. Although some tracks on this album are intelligently constructed, this is just exactly what might be wrong with the majority of the tracks: they sound too constructed and cold. Perhaps this is just the the reason why some critics question whether Tonikom should be considered as either a musician or a club dj.

My advise would be: just add some emotion and consistency and the next album might be a magnificant one...