I've heard a lot of gothic and darkwave compilations that I've liked and that have had forgiving flaws that are often found in compilations such as inflections in track levels or song transitions that didn't really "do it" for me. So when I saw that this CD had not only Industrial and Synthpop but also experimental-ish darkwave it seemed like a possible odd combination of sub-genres. But my skepticism was soon diminished.
The transitions from heavy industrial moving through danceable darkwave synthpop into more obscure and ethereal tracks worked smoothly through a mix that was obviously well planed, it kept me intrigued with no sudden changes, just a colorful and inspiring collection of songs, and every track exclusive to this release.
Bands that I had heard of before such as Angels On Acid, Attrition, Diverge and Kirlian Camera provided their solid and usual appeal to me. The Angels On Acid track "The Vile" remixed by Limbo was a kickass opening track full of energy and I think Limbo was really able to showcase the highlights that Angels On Acid have to offer. Diverge hit hard and aggressively with their track "Stitched" remixed by Biodrone; it was pretty pumped up and borderline harsh.
Other Industrial acts are The Ludovico Technique with their 2008 version of a debut track for '06 "This Life" , C/A/T is featured with "Shoot to Kill" remixed by [syndika:zero] and XMH features an Implant remix of "Rape Your God"...over all a great selection of underground Industrial, great remixes, very pleasing.
The Industrial excursions begin to dissapate with a smooth transition into an amazing live recording of Kirlian Camera's popular dance floor hit "Blue Room". We then receive some introductions into some lesser known bands. The Oedipus Complex track "Circle The Sun" brought to mind Tear Garden for me, I really enjoyed this and am intrigued to hear more from this band. The Jason Alacrity track "Winter Song" was very synthpop-ish dark EBM that played out gorgeously, great vocals, lyrically poetic and driven. Cylab is featured as Cylab/The Break Up, maybe a side project combined, not sure? It was a remix of the original Cylab track "Dented Halos" it was more piano driven compared to the uber digital synth version of the original track from their album "Satellites". I also found this lovely band called Life's Decay, I loved their instrumental track "Extzen"; it has crazy awesome drums and strings and like nothing I had heard before, and when I checked out more music on their myspace I became an instant fan. Another new band to me was The Nuns Of Telekinesis with some really great dark experimental mixed with tribal accents on their track "Undercurrent". Phantoms Of The SS is featured with an eerie and bizarre piece titled The Sheltering Sky; it's mellow but very dramatic and creepy. The Scarlet Slipping track "Machine Is Broken" presented a moody and intense track of warped synths and featured an excellent example of the artists vocal diversity, dark and strange. The Hiroshima Project presented a moving and emotional piano solo with some underlying indefinable accents; it paints a picture of something painful without a word, a beautiful and hypnotizing track. Attrition featured their new vocalist Sin'Drella on a very ethereal and spacious piece "Lullaby". Sin's vocals are strong and demanding. Sin is also on the album with her a solo project Imprint; a down tempo darkwave synth project; she debuts her track titled "Eden" on this release. Anyone who can appreciate both industrial and darkwave would probably really enjoy this well mixed carnival of delights.
Sin-Tech: www.sin-tech.org
Writen By Over_Throw
www.myspace.com/overthrow_music