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Archived Reviews
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Bands either reforming or reemerging after a long silence seems to be very much the in thing right now, & with this superb album Mario Vaerewijck & Eric Van Wonterghem make a welcome return. Their sound is actually a fairly unique one in that they've taken the traditional old skool EBM sound & fused it with harder industrial ingredients along with a more organic-sounding punk/new wave style that actually gives the album what could almost be a 'hand made' feel. Some very accoustic-sounding rhythms embellish this musical facet still further while their collective expertise shines through from start to finish. Furthermore, the duo never stick to a formula either, making for a varied albeit cohesive album with contrasts being very much the order of the day, from the slow but effective opener "Damage Done" being sharply contrasted by the furious "Pain Inside" where Mario's vocals resemble Trent Reznor, strangely enough. Another highlight comes in the form of the complex "Where Is The Party (Slow Mix)" which builds from its promisingly tense opening, constantly adding new rhythmic & musical motifs that change the focus of the track each time & ending on a nicely gritty note thanks to some guitar-like effects. It's this willingness to take chances that makes the album the consistently enthralling listen that it is with even the more obvious old skool influences (aside from Spetsnaz's remix of "Play The Game") that crop up during the minimalistic "Isolated" & the superb "Push The Needle" being supplanted by more inventive touches, including, in the latter case, some excellent lead synths. Likewise the analogue synthpop of "Give It Up/Don't Give It Up" makes another string for the album's bow & if you've not yet given it up to the instantly catchy "Bambi Fucker" then you must be in need of a pulse &, maybe I'm a little perverted but the squealing at the end is another very cool touch indeed! Superb album, this, miss it at your peril. |
