2 comments about Audiophile.

1. This is a great album that I only happened to come across a few months ago. If you like "Advantage" by clock dva, you will likely enjoy this one.
   Digitaria is another one to check out, though that one has a few ambient pieces that are just a tad bit too long for my taste.
   It is too bad that bands like clock dva and 23 skidoo were too sporadic and infrequent with their output. And I guess there are not all that many fans - Amazon doesn't even seem to know what related listmania lists to include in the listing.



2. Adi Newton's side project. A great introduction to the group (production courtesy of Richard Kirk and Stephen Mallinder of Cabaret Voltaire fame) This cd is a collection of singles and EP's that the Anti-Group have released over the years. It's a great listen, fans of Clock DVA should not miss this. Good luck finding this electro-industrial classic, it may be out of print already.

2 comments about Direct Memory Access, Vol. 2.

1. In the beginning, there silence despite noise and nothing spoke despite the bombarding of voices that heralded from their hollowed homes. Then, in a dark cloud of transition, voices were taught the seeds of angst and tolerance for the supposedly intolerable. This birthed dissension from the mentalities of the ordained orders of things, and a popular front of musical angst was born. It was a multi-headed beast wearing the adornments of scorn for things it saw copulating around its eyes, for the traps mankind waltzed within while traversing on the proverbial toes of one another, and it found itself jaded and somewhat affected by these notions. So, something bleak and menacing in its own rights began to morph and take root as a mouthpiece to minds it likened as something like itself. After a time, the works grew into heavily voxed machines and electronic beats drumming away on all fronts of humanity, taking the forms of bands like Informatik and their initial release, Direct Memory Access 2.0.

   Within Direct Memory Access 2.0, there are so many things that go right for a band just finding the footing that would later lead it down paths that would further morph into Syntax and then into the quite-different Nymphomatik, not to mention the side project Din Fiv and its two releases. The techno/electro/industrial copulation works well with the lyrical contents of the songs inside, and the almost growlingly dark machine of a voice speaking from its pulpit becomes yet another instrument, working to further refine the beats being produced. Samples crowd for room within the confines of the tracks, further accenting the works, making little proclamations of their own that seed many a track. The first song is a seemingly dark call to sexual orientation in calls to explore a little "Human Nature." The second, one of my more favored releases from the band in their early workings, is a proclamation to be able to self-govern oneself and thwart the devices of selfsameness in "Autonomous." This mix is a darker, more angst-filled piece, whereas the album manufactures another version of it, proving the machine behind the voice can also sing in an 80s rendition of the same song, "Autonomous-Nothing Is Real Mix." Its actually catchy, drifting down roads that show you just what a little instrumentation and heavy distortion can do to something that some produces. Perhaps my favorite track off the album is "Silicon," one that heralds a transformation of flesh into silicon, of man into mechanical device, and the horrors that come from that becoming. There are also other portions of the album that drift into stranger arrays, plus there are mostly musical renditions of songs that take the listener through a sampling of vocal clips and musical horizons (I Confess).

   If you've yet to experience Informatik in its many forms, this or Evolution would be the starting points I would recommend for introductions. This isn't to say that Nymphomatik isn't a great piece, but it does get mixed results from the listening populous. Besides, with men becoming machines, the sadism mixing with romance, proclamations of not wanting to conform, and the beauty in the depravity of vocal machinery, what wouldn't be to like? Highly recommended.




2. Danceable, hard songs. A very cool Cyber/Industrial Band from Boston (my home city, always a plus .) Like the band Xorcist they include short bursts of words from movies and such. Informatik uses tracks and bursts of words that fit the song, much better than Bat of Xorcist does. They repeat certain verses in their songs over and over, sometimes to stupidity but others it works well.

   Great CD with beautifully crafted Cyber/Industrial music.

No comments about Made in China.

No comments about Final Man.

No comments about Electro Industrial Assassins.

5 comments about We're in This Together, Pt. 3.

1. In what was no doubt conceived by some marketing whiz somewhere, one single was split across three discs, each with three tracks. Each starts with the title track,then adds two more. And grand total, exactly two tracks were not previously released.
   
   This is the third part, containing the full version of the superb (if a bit overlong) "We're In This Together". Added to this are two extra tracks, the first being a new remix track, "Complications of the Flesh", derived from "Complication" (from "The Fragile") and "The New Flesh" (from "The Fragile" LP, and also found on another part of this-- the piece itself is interesting, the programming in particular is jaw dropping, but overall it doesn't have enough to make you come back to it over and over. It also includes a slightly (virtually unnoticably) extended remix of "The Perfect Drug", from the "Lost Highway" soundtrack-- this is a fantastic song, Nine Inch Nails does drum-n-bass, breakneck beats and a crazed chorus make this one a lot of fun.
   
   Is this really worth it? Maybe, the extra tracks are both pretty strong, but this single tends to be expensive. Probably for completionists only.



2. this is the best version of the 3 halo fifteen singles. it it the first time the perfect drug has appearted on a actual halo release and it has a hybrid track which is quite good



3. Quick, simple, and to the point:
   You only get one new song on this disc, Complications of the Flesh. Yes, it sucks at first, but in time, it surely will grow. Also, there's a extended(just a bit) version of the Perfect Drug, a already excellent song. Not to mention, WITT is a excellent song nonetheless.
   Pick it up if you want to collect.



4. On this album you could arlready hear "We're In This Together" on part 2, Damaged Box Set and The Fragile. You could hear "The Perfect Drug on The Lost Highway soundtrack from '96, the Closure VHS shows the video, Damaged also includes this(Because it's the WITT songs in one!). Complications of the Flesh is an awesome remix, using Complication's guitars and some of The New Flesh(found on part 2 and the vinyl version of The Fragile) This is a must for any customer even looking.



5. Out of the three We're in This Together singles I think this one is the best. You've never heard a nin remix like complications of the flesh before. It's so new and different, it stands out like no other remix can. I'm not saying it's my favorite but it's so different, so experimental(in a good way!). You can tell Trent put some time into this one. And hey, even if you don't like complications of the flesh, there's always the perfect drug.

1 comments about Demon Kiss.

1. I recently got into Blutengel when I heard their latest effort "The Oxidising Angel" (3 new songs plus a few remixes). I immediately fell in love with Chris Pohl's deep, hypnotic voice. Two of my favorite songs on the cd is "Angels of the Dark" and "Navigator" which led me to buy their last studio effort "Demon Kiss". Needless to say I was not disappointed in what I heard. "Demon Kiss" is 75 minutes of aural bliss. The music is a seductive blend of goth, EBM, and industrial. I aboslutely love the original version of "Angels of the Dark" which is slightly slower than the remixed version on "The Oxidisng Angel" yet remains as intoxicatingly infectious. What I love most about Blutengel is how danceable and melodic their music is. It did not take much for me to become a tremendous fan of the German band. Most of the songs on "Demon Kiss" consists of clean vocals but there are a few tracks where Chris Pohl's vocals turns gruff like on "Love Killer". It is different hearing Chris growl but I liked it. One of my personal favorite songs on the album is the gorgeous piano ballad "Stay". That song simply took my breathe away. I could not find one song on "Demon Kiss" that I did not like. All of the songs are great.

1 comments about 12" Anthology.

1. The Twelve Inch Anthology is one of the best Skinny Puppy albums to date. All the remixes are well-put together, and while some clock in at over 7 minutes, you'll never get bored of them. This cd is worth buying alone for Deep Down Trauma Hounds, Assimilate, and Dig It; There aren't any "filler" tracks, and it's one album you can listen to all the way through without ever wanting to change the song. These songs and remixes are skinny puppy at their greatest element, because it blends all of the various sounds they had on different albums and mixes it into one audio assault. If you're new to Skinny Puppy, I'd suggest buying Too Dark Park first, or Last Rights; but this album is as good as any to start out with as well.

5 comments about Draconian Times.

1. Draconian Times came out in 1995 and sold quite well in Europe thanks to magazines like Kerrang calling them the next Metallica. But unfortunately in the States they did not even crack the top 100 (compared to #16 in the UK). Compared to earlier albums their sound was more stripped down. Words like "dark", "heavy", and "sparse" come to mind when I think of Draconian Times. I love the contrast in many of the songs between a heavy guitar riff followed by a melody on piano or clean quitar. Nick Holmes also goes from Hetfield-like powerful vocals to softspoken words. I think about half the album is excellent and the other half is not bad. My favorites are Enchantment, Hallowed Land, The Last Time, Forever Failure, Elusive Cure, and Jaded. Paradise Lost's sound would continue to evolve going in a more techno direction much to the annoyance of many fans. Of the five albums I own I still think this is their best.



2. I'm a fan of most genres of rock, ranging from soft rock to death metal. And I can say one thing, and that is that I've never heard another album out there like this one. Draconian Times is probably one of the best rock albums I've ever had the opportunity to buy. This cd proves that you don't have to be the fastest and craziest musician to write a great song. I've owned Draconian Times for quite a while now and I still have not become sick of hearing it. If you want an album that will blow you away with originality, buy this cd.



3. This is like some other reviewer rightly said, the most overlooked metal album of the 90s. If you are one of those people (like me) lamenting the death of metal like the days of old Metallica, Megadeth etc, just pick this album up and you will know what I am talking about. Draconian Times really came during a draconian time for heavy metal and it filled such a big gap. With incredible ENCHANTMENT, the epic album begins and goes only from strength to strength. Hallowed Land, an superb song with chugging guitars of Aaron Aedy will smash you and so does Last Time and Once Solemn. If you hear Once Solemn with your eyes closed, you could really mistake it for old Metallica, the heavy thrashing guitars, excellent vocals, heavy drums etc. Shadow Kings, Elusive Cure, Shades of Gods all live up to the great titles. But the standout track of this album has to be FOREVER FAILURE...this is one of the best songs PL has ever written.

   You have to buy to CD to believe what I am saying. Even if you dont have any PL albums, this is a great way to start. It marks the progression of the band, which started as a death metal outfit, to what it eventually became. PL is the most underrated and highly talented band in the world. Every single work of this genius band is incredible and every single self-respecting metal fan should possess them....




4. I think I will start off by saying that this album is terrific. It is very very dark and melancholic and sounds best when rain lashes out of your window.
   The albums starts with the amazing "Enchantment" and the powerful choir at the background that just like the title- puts a spell on you that doesn't wear off for hours and hours. After the dark "Enchantment" comes the faster "Hallowed Land"- and the album is already at it's peak. By the way, if you are not familiar with "Paradise Lost" than "Hallowed Land" is the right song for you to download and get to know this supreme band. Track number four ("Forever Failure") is the most depresing in the album and it deals with suiciding and feeling of total failure, it is also one of the few Paradise Lost songs that actually say something- and that is the downside of the album. Although the lyrics gives a great dark mood it doesn't mean anything at all (except for very few cases). But, all in all, the wonderful music makes up for the lack of lyrics and gives you one of my favourite albums of all time-DRACONIA TIMES.



5. Draconian Times by Paradise Lost is one of the most powerfull dark-rock / metal albums around. There are many bands today who attempt dark metal and with mostly embarassing results. This album is an exception. Nick Holmes drives every word straight to the heart in a Hetfield like roar but at times he uses a low gothic voice. Guitarists Aaron Aedie and Greg Mackintosh play very powerfull simple riffs that dominate the album and the general atmosphere is very moody. Everything here is solid from start to end. Unfortunaltely Paradise Lost are not well known outside of Europe and this album did not get the exposure it deserves. I highly recommend this CD to anyone into hard rock, metal and quality music in general.

5 comments about Agogo.

1. Plenty other better KMFDM albums but this contains some essentials: Ooh La La, Naff Off, and Agogo....that song is so grooovy! It is seriously one of KMFDM's best songs. 7 minutes of retro-industrial with a funky edge. I do recommend you get this if you have every other KMFDM album including the original NAIVE. Nuff said



2. First, I have to say that this isn't typical of KMFDM and I wasn't really impressed with it. And, really, was I supposed to be? KMFDM albums aren't normally met with such harsh resolve from these hands, but this isn't really a "KMFDM album" and it doesn't deserve a lot of acclaim. Its more of a trinket for fans than anything with substance, with a lot of tracks but little in the way of "new stuff." It's more akin to a collection of songs that were/are out-of-print mingling with a lot of elderly sounds than anything, with a couple of songs I really wanted to have thrown in so I'd buy it.
   And it worked. I bought it.
   
   That said, there are two things on the album that I really enjoyed getting my hands on:
   (1) I was really glad to see "Ooh La La" pop up on something besides the Hellraiser III soundtrack, because I'm not really a soundtrack collector. The themes on soundtracks are too sparse to always have appeal, and it oftentimes seems like a gem ends up mixed into lots of lumps of coal. And "Ooh La La" fits that bill, because it is a great song mixed into a sub par soundtrack. It has the beat a KMFDM song requires, the lyrics, and the build as a whole. It would have easily passed as an album staple with no problems, but ended up on that soundtrack for a while before this.
   (2) "Mysterious Ways" is good because KMFDM covers are always fun. It was pretty cool to hear them doing U2 the way they wanted to do them, making a song that sounded a lot better than the "real thing" to me (and, no, I'm not a U2 fan). In fact, it was an odd experience. A minute into a U2 song and I hadn't reached for the fast forward!
   
   And the other stuff, while out-of-print or some remix of another song, isn't really needed. I like it because its premixed into a sampler of songs I enjoy, some like Virus and Godlike and Hole in the Wall alot, but its still not something I'd point someone who hasn't had KMFDM contact at and say "you want this." I say that again because the "unreleased material" doesn't mean "new songs." It simply means "new mixes and a couple of new songs." So, recapping, I'd say steer clear unless you're a fan in need of tracks for your audio veins!



3. This is a wonderful collection of rare tracks from one of my favorite bands. The cover of U2'S "Mysterious Ways" far surpasses the original. And "Zip" is probably one of the most hilarious songs I have ever heard. I am not a guy, but I can only imagine what it would be like to get my caught in the zip of my pants. Although other than these two priceless tracks the rest of the album is not all that great. But if you are a KMFDM fan, and desire to have a complete collection be sure to pick this up.



4. I like KMFDM a lot but Agogo is not the best work I have seen the band do. Their other albums have a higher level of intensity and creativity then Agogo. It just seems that Agogo was but toghether by their record company knowing that it would be one the last times they would be able knowing that the band would break up soon. There are good songs on here like the cover of U2's mysterious ways and is defenetely good for the die-hard KMFDM fans



5. This album rocks, but with the exception of two songs: "Thankyou" and "Zip". Both those songs are really dumb. The rest of the album, however, is great. "Godlike" is the heaviest mix of "Godlike" that I've ever heard; "Agogo" is really funky; "Virus-Dub" is awesome, it's got a cool Carribean beat to it, and it's way better than "Virus-Pestillence"; "Hole In The Wall" is okay, but I've heard better mixes; "Naff Off" is really good; and the mix of "Rip The System" is mediocre (it's a bad song anyway). Basically get this album for "Godlike", "Virus-dub", "Naff Off", and "Agogo".