The Flux State

This album is gorgeous. Ominous in its tone, the synth here truly grabs hold and never ever lets go. The rhythmic percussion layered beneath the soaring electric riffs draw you ever deeper within Jon's world. An ethereal and pounding bass pierces through the background giving birth to a wonderful mosaic of synths that completely encapsulates you, leaving you craving more long after it is done spinning. Taking on a western vibrato at times with the guitar, the whole score has this verbose melodic structure that is truly larger than life. The ambient pulsing gives way to classic cyberpunk horns that clear the way for a melancholic piano and strings, bringing a whole new character to this somber yet heroic score. This album is proof that Jon is the master of cyberpunk and the king of Shadowrun. It's no wonder he has continued to dominate the games industry with his unique and diverse sound.

Catharsis

Black Screen Records’ work on both of these Shadowrun releases from Jon was just remarkable. They are easily two of my favorite albums in my collection, and that says a lot about the sheer love and work that was poured into them. The incredible art by Jenn Ravenna (Dragonfall) & Joel DuQue (Hong Kong) are staples in my opinion, and just encapsulate the artistic and musical tone from both of these games. The gatefold on this album is absolutely mindblowing, displaying Firewing (Feuerschwinge) in all of her majestic glory; it is simply marvelous in its design and execution. The black and white with simple accents of crimson is just a gorgeous touch, and adds an amazing minimalistic flair to the music it holds inside. The design and layout for this release was carried out by none other than the talented Dane Baudoin, and adds a unique flavor in all the right places to Jenn’s work. Jon’s loving note to his fans and wife is just a heart-melting addition, and brings that extra bit of personality making this release feel super special. While also available on black vinyl, I decided to pick up the more limited clear version, and I must say the cloudy nature of it is just amazing and I think fits this release perfectly. The mastering here was meticulously done by industry veteran Christan Bethge of RAMA Tonstudio, and is as impeccable as always. The dynamics on this album are beautifully accented within the grooves, highlighting all of the amazing intricacies and nuances of Jon’s music and giving them a moment to shine. Christian always delivers remarkable work in my opinion and this album is undeniable proof of his dedication to his incredible craft. Black Screen Records never disappoints, and this album is among their best work ever. A testament and a true love letter to all fans of Shadowrun and Jon’s groundbreaking work. Pick this one up!