Canada's Schmange offer up a plateful of progressive & melodic guitar chops , that any lover of the genre would appreciate. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Because Schmange have a diversity of style that hearkens to a most enthralling hybrid blend of music, that is original & inspirational

"MoogBoog" exercises a fantastic blend of musical streams that criss-cross through echoes of Eddie Van Halen influenced guitar fluidity , complimented with Moog style Bass undertones. The effect of the proceedings is an exhilarating instrumental montage

"Neon Lies" reflects a dollop of David Bowie circa "Station To Station". With a rhythmic undertow all its own , contrasted with Glockenspiel splashes in the intro , A unique Vox subtle fluidity adds ambiance to the cut

"Going Home" exudes a moody other worldly quality that shimmers in ethereal transcendence. Contrastingly , "Goodnight" is a more reflective & somber song , with an acoustic guitar married to a lullaby that is heart aching whilst projecting resolve & hypnotic wonder

'Bye" stands on the side of a plateau with the wind blowing in ones face ; Reaching into the nether-world ambiance of Pink Floyd's David Gilmore. A distinct sonic image of times gone past , with an eye toward the future horizon

Schmange's Vocal singularity is a crowning trademark to his muse. The distinctive timbre & delivery is dark , smooth & thought provoking. A dramatic flair without pretension sizzles beneath the surface of the music & lends a mysterious quality to the atmosphere

Take a journey through the musical framework of Schmange & be prepared to venture off of the normal mundane reality of the earth to a distant shore of sublime audio manifestation

[- United Global Artist Review]

A six member techno/electronic band from the United Kingdom brings to us a 2-disc collection of pulsating electronic music. Music that would be fitting for a movie soundtrack and/or even better for a video game, as it seems to bring to life everything around you. This doesn't seem to be your standard every day techno/electronic music either, it almost seems to combine elements from an assortment of genres like metal, rock, industrial, dance and more. I've never really been a huge fan of instrumental styles of electronic music i.e. "Soundscape," but I think SCHMANGE have made a new dent in my collection. I loved the incorporation of the rock/metal guitars into their pulsing bass-beat backdrop and techno vibes. It gave the music an element that I could enjoy, even for not being a big fan of this style of music. I would say that this is the type of music for those who enjoy the wails of electric guitars mixed with dancey drum beats and a humming soundscape of electronics.

[Wednesday Elektra - Space Junkies Magazine]

OK, do you like techno and rock guitar fused together? If not, move on to the next review. If you do, or you're not sure because you've never heard any thing like it, then you need to check out Schmange on his CD release PhaseIV Chronicles. Generally using hard-edged techno as a base, Schmange layers his guitar sounds (rooted in '70s and '80s rock) over the top, achieving a kind of dramatic, David Gilmour feel. In fact, if you like say, Tangerine Dream, modern sounds and Gilmour's work, you'd feel right at home. Tracks such as "MoogBoog" are more hard rock than techno, allowing for more of a guitar hero approach - thus sucking in even more guitar fans. Got to hand it to Schmange, he's doing a great job trying to appeal to a wider base here with his compositions. An 'A' for creativity as well.

-Guitar9Records

The man who calls himself Schmange is quickly becoming an international commodity. He began his career playing guitar for three years in the band Essex. Now he's out on his own...writing and recording wild guitar driven techno pop and teaching his techniques to others. This man already has offices in Canada and England...and more are probably on the way. Phase IV Chronicles is a mind-blowing double CD set featuring an impressive collection of 31 compositions. The tunes go all over the place...but the one constant is the incredible guitar playing. Listening to this double album, it's no wonder that so many people are looking to Schmange for guidance. Free flowing and upbeat, these tracks are as slick and professional as anything we've heard on any label...independent or major... As a word of warning, however, this is a lot of material to take in at one sitting...so be forewarned. Extremely well orchestrated. (Rating: 5)

-LMNOP Reviews

Phase IV has a handful of compositions worthy of booty shaking and head banging.

- Philip Stone, SplendidEzine.com

Schmange - Phase IV Chronicles
Not for the faint hearted, "Phase IV Chronicles" is a 2 CD set of techno-psych, largely instrumental, guitar tunes. The weak of heart may switch off now.
For the hardier of hearing, Keith Taylor, who is Schmange, is a guitar tutor who writes for the Guitar Tricks website, and it's easy to see why his lessons are so popular. If you've ever used the word flange in conversation and are neither an engineer nor a golfer, then this is you - the guitar geeks - wet dream (apart from that photo of Lita Ford wearing nothing but a guitar). Even a musical illiterate like me (3 bass chords and 3 harmonica parts don't count) ended up with dropped jaw syndrome at some of the virtuosity on display.
Of course this doesn't make this CD essential listening for the casual punter. A lot of the material, especially on CD2, clocks in at under 3 minutes, and is almost over before it begins. But when there's something to get your teeth into with "Bye" and "Dream A View" being particularly fine examples, then it's worth it.
A lot of the material seems like a cyber soundtrack in search of a film, but kudos to Schmange for my new favourite word - "Rocksplosion"!

Reviewer: Stuart aka Zeitgeist
Related Link: http://www.space-rock.co.uk

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