seven

this is the first direct full length of optikon rekords founder john thomas. being involved in several aggro-industrial/experimental projects over the years, he releases his strongest on dsbp. a complete progression and follow-up to the "modifications" ep, thomas moves into more solidified structures leaning towards a more rejuvenated dark old-school industrial/noise sound. with nice unique and clean artwork by raisin love's steph dumais. this is by far dsbp's best release to date.

i have a few favorite tracks that pretty much define the "andraculoid" style for me. tracks such as "lifecycle" contain very catchy and foreboding bass chords and effective beat structures with volatile and severed vocals stylings. track six, "incurable" assaults you with a infectious bombardment of nice guitar melodies when it opens and breaks it some very thrashing, catchy electro melodies and hazardous loud vocals that are not for the weak at heart. this would be a good track for the rivet-heads on any industrial/ebm club floor. "under renovation" works with shadowy bass lines and serrated vocals that combust into fast-paced punk-esq choruses and back again. "prometheus", the bonus track is also very catch as well, proving to be another good track for the industrial/ebm club floor.

there are two very nice remixes that i feel are actually better than their original compositions. the "awaken" remix by underlord of ritualistic dark ambient , ah cama-sotz, releases a remix that produces flammable and contagious ritual-electro rhythms that flow nicely with the occasional creepy organ melodies and panning severed vocals. one of the most dynamic and just plain heavy tracks, is the remix of "questionable fate" by terra firma sky. Mind numbing bass chords, toxic oscillating and erratic percussives, mixed with panning resonances and deadly vocals.

In alignment to my recent review of mindwerk's sampler, if these directions are seeking new feelings in pushing a "new" rejuvenation towards old-school idealism, then this is a damn solid and good release and any person that respects those directions should surely like it.