Antimatter
„Lights Out“
Black Vinyl, LP, Album, limited  Reissue. 2020 (2003). Dark/Art Rock.

In 2003 the band founded in England in 1998 by Mick Moss and Duncan Patterson, released their second album, "Lights Out." Initially described by music journalists as a blend of trip-hop and lounge music, I would place this album more broadly within the realm of dark/art rock. As the "saddest band in the world," the songs on "Lights Out" are consistently melancholic and mournful. 

The title track opens with alarm sirens. Everything is underpinned by a synth haze and is leisurely, dark. Then we hear the sounds of a breathing apparatus and the beeping of a medical monitor. "Lights Out, when you hit the Ground." Song two, "Everything You Know Is Wrong," sounds like a typical atmospheric, calm Antimatter track, and it's precisely this one, with its psychedelic elements, that's a highlight for me. Also typical of Antimatter on their first three albums are the lyrics, sung either by Mick Moss or guest musicians. The next track, "The Art Of A Soft Landing," is calm and soaring. It, too, is dark and psychedelically excellent. "Expire," at 7:59 minutes the longest song, strikes me as lacking in variety. "Dream" fares better, much more symphonic and beautifully sung by guest vocalist Michelle Richfield. On to side B.

"Reality Clash" begins with a soft spoken voice, accompanied by a symphonic backdrop. Beautiful electric bass, a slightly psychedelic vibe. I'm already enjoying side B. "In Stone" impresses with subtle dynamics reminiscent of prog, spoken word passages, and a wonderful electric bass played by Duncan Patterson. This is where I find the heart of the album. "Terminal" begins almost cheerfully with acoustic guitar. But the song shifts into a dark mood and ends with the familiar, faster beeping of a medical monitor. The song ends with the sound of a breathing apparatus. Certainly the most atmospheric song on the album. Finally, there's "Everything You Know Is Wrong" again, this time as an acoustic version. While I like it, I would have preferred a closing track. That would have maintained the stronger impression of a concept album.

Conclusion. Where do I place this album? Definitely not in trip-hop, and lounge music isn't nearly as dark. For me, it's an album comprised of calmer dark rock with touches of art rock, progressive rock, and psychedelic elements. I consider it a concept album (even though it's not intended to be). The album's greatest strengths lies in the musicians and guest musicians, the atmospheric songs, and the blend of different genres. Highly recommended.

Unfortunately, it's not so nice that yet another record is warped. Although the sight of it bouncing up and down makes me seasick, but strangely it sounds good. The record has since been flattened. Dear producers, dear logistics people! Records have become very expensive these days, so customers rightly expect quality.

Vocals.
Mick Moss (1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
Duncan Patterson (1)
Hayley Windsor ((1, 2, 3)
Michelle Richfield (4, 5, 7)

All Instruments by Patterson and Moss. Additional Percussions by Jamie Cavanagh.

Antimatter – Saviour (2002)
Antimatter – Lights Out (2003)
Antimatter – Planetary Confinement (2005)
Antimatter – Leaving Eden (2007)
Antimatter – Alternative Matter (2010)
Antimatter – Fear Of A Unique Identity (2012)
Antimatter – The Judas Table (2015)

The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.

No AI was used in the making of this Review.
©12.03.2026