Elements Of Surprise is the 2022 reunion album by the early 1980s progressive, instrumental synth-pop band, Delay Tactics. The reunited Delay Tactics, consisting of Carl Weingarten (guitars, slide guitar), David Udell (keyboards, guitars) and Walter Whitney (synthesizers, guitars, piano) appear in peak form, sounding like they haven’t missed a sonic step in the past 40 years.

Considering each of their individual reputations as first rate musicians, the 2022 Delay Tactics comeback is a shared venture with the music composed and performed by all three of these acclaimed artists. Elements Of Surprise stands its own ground as a testament to the combined music magic that Walter, David and Carl conjure as a creative team, while the addition of Michael Manring on fretless electric bass, adds a cavernous bottom to the Delay Tactics sound.

A good example of where Elements Of Surprise synchronizes perfectly is track 3, “Shadow Of Berlin”. Created in the style of mid-1980s Tangerine Dream, this astonishing track sizzles as both a Euro-style dance track and as an ambient, spy-jazz jam. Another album highlight, the album’s lead-off track, “Viola’s Ascent” breaks new ground in the atmospheric, progressive music world. With its futuristic sound from another dimension, hitherto unexplored by any band currently releasing music, “Viola’s Ascent” is a remarkable sonic achievement. With Elements Of Surprise, Delay Tactics steps back onto the world stage with a masterpiece album bursting with immense sonic consequences.