Tangerine Dream-Stratosfear (1976)

With their album "Stratosfear", Tangerine Dream decided to expand their electronic concerns along the path of symphonism, a path with which they were already flirting in their two previous works. In any case, this new album shows a strong emphasis on structuring clear melodic ideas, as well as a more consistent inclination towards the orchestral use of mellotrons and synthesizers. The most evident samples of this aspect are embodied in the homonymous entry theme and the closing theme 'Invisible Limits'. The combinations between the various keyboards and the presence of well-defined guitar solos result in a hypnotic and stylized amalgam at the same time: one of the most exquisite moments is in the piano sonata and flute mellotron that closes 'Invisible Limits' , a moment of sublime beauty that allows the album to close with a clasp of magnificent distinction. But it's the most popular 'Stratosfear' track on this record: effective handling of attractive synth lines and lead guitar on a balanced, consistent basis of diverse keyboards (synths, organ, mellotron) and the occasional drum inputs showcase the talent of this trio to create careful improvisations within a well defined framework. The group does not stray too far from its primary penchant for electronic minimalism, but is now moving more freely through the lush forests of stylized symphony.
But "Stratosfear" is not just stylized symphony. It also contains passages full of mystery and some touch of sinister spirituality, as happens in ‘The Big Sleep in Search of Hades’. This piece begins and ends with a harpsichord playing held on a precise bass base and fed by subtle mellotron flourishes; What happens in between is a gloomy and gloomy intermediate made with curtains of mellotrons and various counterpoints of synthesizers.
Considering that this would be the band's last studio work with Peter Baumann (not counting "Sorcerer", the soundtrack for Friedkin's movie 'Wages of Fear'), we can consider "Stratosfear" to be a stupendous announcement. of the swan song of the greatest formation of Tangerine Dream.