This is a musical symphony, not merely tracks of music. The music is played by a Performance Art Group based in Los Angeles. Written, produced and performed by artist Paul Whitehead, best known for his album covers for Genesis, it is an experience in more than electronic music. A huge science fiction fan, Whitehead was intrigued by one question, "What kind of music would Cyborgs create?" This became the starting point for the ensemble and its subsequent creations. Combining futuristic visuals, sci-fi costumes and masks, electronic and machine tones with assimilated sound textures from live musicians, a Borg performance is - by its nature - highly idiosyncratic, yet remains accessible.

The Borg Symphony is a basic unit of four, including a Borg storyteller or narrator, with a variety of additional contributors. They tell the story of one special Borg, Tixe, a warrior and a hero. The symphony centers on his struggle for oneness and humanity. Having been killed at the Battle of Shantanue The Collective brings him back to the hive to put him back together and bring him back to life. But it doesn’t stop there. Every time he is injured they replace another part until he is barely there at all anymore. The other downside of this recreated life is that each body part comes with residual memory that continues to play in his mind. Tormented by all he sees and hears he wishes to die, but The Collective won’t let him. Instead they attempt to reprogram him.

In spite of being performed almost entirely on electronic keyboards and computers this CD approaches electronic music in an entirely new way. A first outing for Whitehead as a musical composer, the Borg Symphony is a fun experience with lots of different musical textures and punches.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2006 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.