| Artist |
| Amnistia |
| Title |
| Blackguard |
| Format/Cat |
| CD |
| Label |
| Rupal Records |
| Style |
| Dark Electro Industrial |
| Date of review |
| 6th November 2008 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 8.5/10 |
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The German duo of Stefan & Tino AKA Amnistia (not to be confused with Amduscia) are one of the bands that the Rupal Records label are working with & this is their second album, following on from Neophye, which was itself less than a year old when this was released. Amnistia's sound is a powerful but accessable style of EBM with a mixture of melodic & harsh vocals & a lush production that does slightly take the edge off the music a tad but which also boosts the music's inherent power, giving it a more expansive edge. For sure, anyone who enjoys the energy of EBM but finds many German bands too harsh could do worse than check this out, particularly such instantly infectious tracks as 'Emulate', which kicks off proceedings in earnest with a strong singalong potential & the slower title track, which makes its mark through some excellent bass sequencing & melodics while the punchily driving duo of 'Komplex' & 'Fractured' are both similarly worthy of your attention. Only the lighter 'Creed' doesn't quite hit the spot due to the absence of an expressive vocal performance that the lighter mood of the music cries out for but this is just about the only blemish on an excellent album that keeps to a high standard from start to finish. Indeed, as it progresses & the tempo is slowed down a touch the band's strongpoints become even more clearer with the duo of 'Zu Staub' & 'Cold' which are magnificent & mighty enough in themselves leaving the path clear for the overwhelmingly anthemic 'Our Darkest Path' to take proceedings to yet greater levels of excellence in turns of expansive soundscapes (partly due to the richest bass backing you're ever likely to hear!) & unstoppable, juggernautic power in a manner that moves far beyond any mere club concerns & which should help the album achieve a greater longevity as a result. The one mystery is that, given the menace that quite a few pieces possess the track 'Menacing' is nothing of the sort, being instead an atmospheric instrumental although it again brings the band's melodic capabilties to the fore & proves to be yet another worthwhile listen, leaving the nine minute 'Scars (Not Just Words)' to close the album with another mighty offering that just begs to be played loud so as to fully appreciate the music's full magnificence. So if you're looking for something that provides a good dancefloor experience & nothing else then you'd do well to look elsewhere but this album proves that Amnistia are well able to provide a satisfying listening experience that deserves to be praised far & wide.
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