| Artist |
| Covenant |
| Title |
| Modern Ruin |
| Format/Cat |
| CD SPV 91810 CD |
| Label |
| Synthetic Symphony |
| Style |
| Electro |
| Date of review |
| 6th May 2010 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 7.5/10 |
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The release of this latest Covenant album was a strangely low-beat affair, it seemingly just appeared during January without anyone really seeming to get very excited about it. This is all the stranger when you consider that it's 5 years since the release of Skyshaper or has the UK electro scene become so thickle that it's a case of out of sight out of mind? I hope not. What makes this newie even more intriguing is that it marks the debut on disc of Daniel 'Haujobb/Cleaner/Destroid/Architect' Meier & it's tempting to ponder on what influence he has had on the album as there is a distinctly novel edge towards the use of sounds & effects on a number of tracks, not least the pairing of 'Kairos' & 'The Beauty And The Grace' which builds from the atmospheric opening of the former into the reflective mood of the latter with some fine melodic work making for a most reflective & touching number while the lively 'Get On' is given a further twist by the abstract flavours which are worked into the track's overtly accessible feel. Not that the is in any way hard going or difficult to get into as, throughout, the boys prove they've not lost any of their talent for writing immediately memorable songs that stick in your brain on first listening. The preceding single 'Lightbringer', which is given a distinctly 'urban' feel by the rapped vocals from Necro Facility & some distinctly 'robust' rhythms, is proof of this, as is the following 'Judge Of My Domain' which is the most typically 'Covenant' piece here while, as the album reaches its latter stages there's a real treat waiting for you in the form of 'Beat The Noise' which is nothing less than a triumphant stormer, dynamic, infectious & utterly superb, it must be one of the best tracks they've ever written & is sure to go down a storm on the band's forthcoming European tour in sharp contrast to 'The Road' which is a pleasant piece of dark ambience ideal for last night listening with the lights out. Whilst this is perhaps not Covenant's most immediately enjoyable album repeated listenings bring out its many strengths & makes this a worthwhile addition to their impressive catalogue.
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