ABSTRACKT BLACK - Unheimlich (CD) (DarkDevil Productions) Sidney Stoffels' solo project throws Unheimlicht into our world.A disc with 8 very nice, inviting songs that lie between EBM, dark-wave and synth-wave. Both eighties and contemporary electro sounds throughout this record. ‘Night Owls’ is an instant and potential dance floor filler. It starts excruciatingly slow and dragging but when the beats get involved,we get a blast of a danceable darkwave song.The melody is angular and catchy and cuts to the bone. ‘Can't Contain Myself’ continues with the same momentum. Sidney's voice is an absolute and overall added value. At times firm, then soft, screaming, then constricted again. In any case, a voice that determines the atmosphere. Like a time machine this release, back to the prehistoric times of synthwave, with an eighties vibe. ‘I Am The Beast’ sounds so cool and retro. The synths and rhythm section evoke images of the golden,yet musical,eighties.And what to say about the more electro-punk-oriented ‘A Mind Like Mine’. The machinery seems to be neurotically thrashing around.Pace upwards,wildly beating around,danceable all along the line.“Nothing can be clear in a mind like mine…”Or when you will realize that your brain does not get things clear anymore.…We want more.'nuff said! … [JB] PARTIKUL - Having Gone (Vinyl / Digital) (Exit does not exist records) The Brussels post-punk duo Partikul is well on its way to gaining a stronger following in the post-punk scene with their second full-length ‘Having Gone’.The ingredients are quite austere: a guitar twisted in some distortions, some basic synths that provide enjoyable basslines and a drum machine that does not even bother with complicated compositions. ‘Genocide’ spits out a sequence, which, supported by a psychedelic-like drum part, ditto synth melody and shoegaze guitar work, sends shivers deeply throughout your body.“If it works well, do it more”… is a quote from solution oriented therapeutic work. Well, it also works in music! ‘Straight White Line’ gets going with bone dry drums and a razor sharp bass,while Aly takes on the vocals.‘Take Your Hands Off Me' presents itself with more minimal vibes but is so nice and danceable. Halfway through it becomes a bit more Darkwave when the guitar takes on a roaring role.‘Stay’ is a primal post-punk song with a sound that could belong to the great masters a la Joy Division. Which is a compliment both ways on this one. We don't need to add many words to ‘Sex Me’. The song sounds like its title. Vocally, Aly takes it in every direction. Even screaming, which also sounds a bit more piercing coming from Aly than from anyone else. Blessed! Again some Darkwave with ‘Nothing Good In Me’. Nice groovy song. ‘Fascist Sons’ is a strong lash out at the type of sons who are not really loved. ‘X.T.C’. is the closing song.Here again a different sound.Howling, howling synths in the front,the guitars threateningly on the attack.Partikul does not surprise with this album. They confirm! [JB] BHPL - II (Cassette / Digital) (Self-released) “II” is ear candy for fans of the harder electronic side of the gothic world. With the opening track ‘Terminal’ they immediately strike hard. Atmospheric synths, a heavy repetitive bassline and sneering drumming. EBM with a cool industrial edge. since we are really going wild,we are staying in the strong rhythmwith ‘Traitor’.Cut out from the same sturdy EBM log. I tend to recognize the better Schwefelgelb in this track and you know that it useless to resist dancing. ‘Mass Control’ proves that sometimes a track which is more relaxed in terms of beats per minute can also sound heavy.Here the duo uses real old-school newbeat sounds that swarm through the song like a virus.‘Sex and Perversion’.A7minute long dark techno beat that is just deep and dark enough to make the people dressed in black dance themselves completely crazy. There is something magical and enchanting about the repetitive character of this track.As a bonus trackwe get a remix of the song ‘Terminal’ by Crystal Geometry. Well, as far as I'm concerned, these gentlemen can keep their electro adventure alive for many years to follow. [JB] Read full reviews on http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/reviews/ - 5 - www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be
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