Osiris ‎– In The Mist Of Time (1980, LP, Japan)

Hiro Kawahara's pre-Heretic band. Many other recordings were also released on cassette between 1978-1982, under the names of Osiris, Astral Temple and Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. These are all hopelessly obscure and impossible to find.

While not exactly a pioneer of Japanese Experimental Music but certainly one of the most important figures of the underground Eastern-Asian Electronic scene, Hiro Kawahara started his music journey playing the guitar and then switching on keyboards with German synthesist Manuel Goettsching being his major influence.In 1978 he gave birth to the Osiris project, which was actually a pseudonym used by Kawahara.He released several cassette albums under this moniker but only one LP, the legendary ''In the mist of time''.As with most of his albums, this work was recorded in ten days during August 1980 at the Sound Of Poppy Studios with Goa on drums and Rosi on voice (pseudonyms for the pair of guest musicians appearing in the album).It was released later during the same year.

''In the mist of time'' is a beautiful work of melancholic, dreamy Electronic Prog with ethereal, spacey soundscapes created by Kawahara.According to his words, he was strongly inspired by nature and his walks through the mountains, and the album perfectly reflects Kawahara's feelings at the time.It often becomes very peaceful with cinematic textures and smooth drumming, other moments are dominated by Kawahara's cosmic synthesizers with a Berlin School-like flavor towards somber and atmospheric images.Sporadic, wordless vocals make the whole effort sounding even more impressive and the works of SENSATIONS' FIX and RICHARD SCHNEIDER JR. often spring to mind.As a guitarist Kawahara appears in several tracks to deliver loose and somewhat psychedelic solos, often in the abscence of any supporting instrument.The second side is more minimalistic with hypnotic electronics and sparse use of drums, but some pieces follow the likes of mellow, synth-based Electronic Rock with a few MIKE OLDFIELD influences in the background.

Kawahara finished his work as Osiris around 1982 and re-appeared a couple of years later with Heretic, another Electronic-spiced act, which released quite a few albums and compilations, mainly through the 80's and the 90's.

An albums, which seems destined to be tasted by vinyl collectors around the world.Melancholic and trully atmospheric Electronic/Psych Prog with some great soundscapes.Recommended. (apps79)