The 1995 debut album by electronic quartet CODE, The Architect was released on the Third Mind label just as that company folded, but has often been cited as a cult classic. Its follow-up, Ghost Ship, has certainly been a long time coming but finally arrives after a 25 year journey. Indeed, despite the fact that most of this material has been mothballed for over two decades, it sounds fresh and exciting. “The original sequencing…
Read MoreAuthor: Fred Madison
God Module “The Unsound Remixes” – album review
Founded in Florida back in 2003, God Module has been the solo project of Jasyn Bangert for some time now. Nine studio albums and a number of EPs, he has brought the sounds of industrial, harsh techno and darkwave to create a constantly mutating sound. Blending themes of emotional horror and introspection with driving, dark yet danceable EBM, 2019’s ‘The Unsound’ has had the reworking treatment with remixes by Iris, ESA, System Syn, Funker…
Read MoreThe Birthday Massacre “Diamonds” – album review
The Birthday Massacre have been around for some time now, putting out music for nearly 20 years. They’ve done well, and amassed a huge following in the process. I was curious to see how this new album had evolved their sound. This is essentially a very dramatic pop album. It’s an incredibly well crafted and produced album, the sound is massive, but it is still pop music. The slightly heavier instrumentation and synth choices…
Read MoreWIRE “Mind Hive” – album review
WIRE, the post-punk luminaries’ seventeenth studio album has been released, and goes to show that they are still one of the strongest forces in post punk after all this time. Recently hailed by the Quietus as “one of the most consistent British bands of all time” they have been constantly producing sublime material in a familiar manner, yet never really going over old ground and reliving past successes. Mind Hive is a perfect example of…
Read MoreLondon After Midnight re-release “Selected Scenes from the End of the World”
London After Midnight have announced the re-release of their 1991 debut album, ‘Selected Scenes from the End of the World’. Their debut has been given the complete remixing treatment from the original master tapes and include unreleased bonus material and a never-before-heard recording from the original 1991 sessions. The re-release titled ‘Selected Scenes from the End of the World: 9119’ will feature the long out of print original cover art from the first German…
Read MoreA Projection “Section” – album review
Swedish Post-punk A Projection have returned with their new album ‘Section’. Being firmly in the post punk genre, it’s very hard for any band in this world to escape their influences. Which is basically one band that rhymes with Boy Division. But bringing that band up is lazy journalism. It’s like mentioning Metallica in a review of a thrash album. ‘Section’ is a well crafted album. Well written songs, plain and simple. There’s no…
Read MoreThe Legendary Pink Dots “Angel In The Detail” – album review
The Legendary Pink Dots has thrived far outside the mainstream since the 80’s. Having released more than 40 albums, their latest offering ‘Angel in The Detail’ is a bold and ambitious work. Two years in the making, it is a complex and layered album. Drawing on a plethora of sounds, textures and ideas. Hovering somewhere between Underworld, The Young Gods and Pink Floyd, ‘Angel in The Detail’ warrants multiple listens to even scratch the…
Read MoreEmpirion “Resume” – album review
23 years after their last (and only) full length release, Empirion have returned with ‘Resume’. Their 1996 debut ‘Advanced Technology’ yielded a substantial fanbase and a certain amount of crossover appeal. They supported the Prodigy on a European tour and played across the world before touring America in 1997 as a part of a Megadog Big Top Tour alongside the likes of Moby, 808 State and BT. And it was actually a Megadog reunion…
Read MoreDrab Majesty “Modern Mirror” – album review
Obviously Drab Majesty have a strong musical identity. Yes we all know it has a massive 80’s vibe, but it is miles apart from the assorted retro revival acts doing the rounds now, who simply use an old synth to conjure up images of a bygone era. Drab Majesty are simply really fucking good song writers. It certainly doesn’t hurt that Joshua Eustis was at the helm on production duties for this album either….
Read MoreCryo “The Fall Of Man” – album review
This is a refreshing departure from a lot of the synth wave and electronic material surfacing at the moment. There is a sense of foreboding and menace from the offset in ‘Know Your Enemy’. Employing a bass tone Peter Hook would be happy with and vocal tone akin to that of Rob Dougan. It sets the tone for tan album that is well crafted, explores a myriad of sounds and textures and instantly captivates…
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