Album Notes

Michael Mancuso started writing music in 2003. His debut album A Terrible Flood, the result of over two years of work, is a varied collection of electronic music, including breakbeat, downtempo, IDM, and drum'n'bass. Major musical influences for this album include Boards of Canada, Radiohead, Moby, Joe Boyd Vigil, and fat jon the ample soul physician, to name a few.

But don't take my word for it! Here's what other people are saying about A Terrible Flood:

This is quite impressive. I can tell that you've got musical skills and the pieces are sonically interesting. There are a variety of styles on the album, yet a certain musical passion remains consistent throughout. It's almost like there are several albums compiled into one. There's a range in there between Nalpordyh to Skybox that's really moving - I like the short interesting vignettes.
- Kurt "Peff" Kurasaki, author of Power Tools for Reason 3.0 (www.peff.com)

There's so much energy in it; you can really hear you love what you're doing. [...] This album doesn't sound derivative of anything, it sounds like you're just having a blast making electronic stuff. [...] Really varied but works really well, everything sits together in a brilliant context.
- Tom "Stompp" Pritchard, producer

If you like melodies, breakbeats, emotion, or all 3, check this one out — you’ll be happy you spent the money.
- Justin Smith, flawedLOGIC.org (full review at http://flawedlogic.org/2007/02/23/esselfortium-a-terrible-flood-great-road-trip-tunes)

I have listened to a wide variety of electronic music in various flavors. Essel's CD, even in its formative stages, caught my attention. Surprisingly listenable, constantly undergoing revision, A Terrible Flood is a genuine -- and successful -- effort. Featuring songs in the classic sample tradition (The Airport) to darker and more ambient moments (Chilled), A Terrible Flood may not break new ground but stakes its territory among other works in its genre assertively.
- Omer Ikizler, satisfied customer