| Artist |
| Digital Factor |
| Title |
| Look Back To Go Forward |
| Format/Cat |
| CD |
| Label |
| Lukotyk Records |
| Style |
| Second Generation EBM |
| Date of review |
| 26th April 2009 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 7/10 |
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Digital Factor could be said to be one of the 'second generation' EBM acts who emerged in Germany in the late 80s/early 90s, influenced, of course, by the legendary first generation. During the 90s they made their mark with a few enjoyable albums, the last of which, 1999's Over One Million Times, saw them incorporating breakbeats into their sound. Their emergence in 2007 with the album One More Piece marked the beginning of a triumphant new chapter for this stalwart German band with an exciting brand of guitar-tinged EBM.... or so I thought because, with this newie they do exactly what the title suggests & have looked back to their older works for inspiration, reviving the macho, no-nonsense, very Germanic style of the 90s. In a way this is a shame as it totally undoes the progression of the preceeding album although it's bound to please their older fans who will no doubt find much to love on such tracks as 'Dopamin', 'EGA (East German Attitude)', 'Electronic Body Makers' or 'This Is A Test' (to name just four), as they all tread a well-trodden path of clinical, macho EBM. There are a few new ideas floating around, though & although it's Steril who provide the infectious chords that make the remix of 'Dein Herz' the enjoyable offering that it is the (probably sampled) chamber music motifs that grace 'Picture' are a worthwhile effect while an Arabian vocal sample adds a slight psychadelic edge to the dancey 'Face To Face'. Occasionally the band do opt for a more seemingly freeform instrumental approach, as on 'Dance To My Beat' which is catchy enough not to sound like a piece of filler although the highlight actually comes right at the end in the form of 'Beauty Queen' which closes the album on a high note with a more instantly infectious edge in a manner slightly reminscent of Accessory. To sum up, then, EBM traditionalists should definately go for this but if you're looking for something a bit more modern you might do better to try One More Piece first & go from there.
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