Published by Alessandro Violante on May 28, 2025
Feralia Planitia is a Haarlem-based electro/synthwave project which, four years after its first self-titled release released on CD by Deserted Music Island, has recently released a new only digital release, Hyperphantasmic, with 8RGR8 records.
In these six new songs, the listener can clearly perceive the evolution of this artist which, although always staying loyal to its sound, here showcases a more mature and a more focused sound, as well as a better mastering.
This has been especially possible thanks to the live activity done through these years (its party Synthetic Reality, its live experience in Berlin, Bruxelles, Italy, of course the Netherlands, and much more).
During these years, the artist has written many tracks as well (also played by old school techno pioneers such as Dave Clarke), also with the dark ambient collaborative project ATRATE, and while this review is being written, the artist is surely working on new music.
Strictly talking about this new release, in the opener My Shit Is Gold and on the ending song Mean Machine, we can also listen to the artist processed vocals, which enriches the artist sound with an element we didn’t find in the debut. Of course, the whole release is a tribute to old school electro masters, and My Shit Is Gold has EBM-ish synths but, especially listening to tracks such as Welcome On Board and Sacred Geometry, an old school Kraftwerk-like Computerwelt-era atmosphere can be perceived. Daughter Isotope is a more synthwave output, Mind’s Eye is an electro output enriched by acid sounds, and the ending Mean Machine is a more minimalist early cyberpunk-like output.
What to expect from Hyperphantasmic? As written above, an electro/synthwave release with a strong old school attitude which should be released on physical format.
Label: 8RGR8 Records
Rating: 7.5