seven

this is simply one of the most impressive dark experimental electronic music compilations put out this year! bringing in various dark genres of electronica from dark ambient to new directions in dark electro-industrial. it reminds me of how flatline and possessive blindfold recordings began with their excellent compilations back in the days.

unlike many samplers that are simply thrown together without any thought of how each artist should be represented, this one was put together with a lot of consideration of flow, accurate presentation, and professionalism. this is something more young labels should pay attention to, before they run out and collect of a bunch of mismatched material from various artists. I think the last compilation that i felt was compiled as good as this one was "neurokinetic" from toytronic.

i can honestly say i am pleased with every artist's track on this compilation, but as always there are highlights that must be mentioned that make this cd worth buying alone. mlada fronta has really sprouted their wings this year with the wonderful "fe2 o3" release and here gives us a taste of the track "fixed" taken from "fe2." this track takes you into a warm ascending theme that utilizes dark swells, psychotic samples, and electro rhythms that layer with cinematic intensity. data raper gives us a very surreal and transitional composition that works with a variety of very seductive, dark string patches and elusive samples that diverge to unmethodical methods of industrial textures. massengrab presents "bréches", a more dark electro industrial track that combines some very catchy cold synths, severed vocals, and bouncy rhythms. "laurel bank machine" from holger vice steps into some extremely foreboding territory with shadowy introspective chords, drones, and swells that pace intently with lo-fi beats. the ever so impressive oil10 gives us yet another very radiant track titled "second moon" comprised of quantum off-world swells that ascend over surreal radiant atmospheric rhythms and alien moons. If you have enjoyed the directions of the recent "links" release, you should not be without this track, simple as that!

and not only does this compilation contain twelve very nice tracks for the mind, it also includes two very unique video interpretations from komintern and atelier 112[live]. atelier 112 untitled video composes some very transitional raw old-school industrial soundscapes within a visual landscapes of live, cgi, and media materials. while komintern gives us a propaganda oriented piece that comprises some sleek transitions and illusory clips that converge nicely with the surreal atmospheres and synthetic rhythms.

if this is what we have to look forward to in the upcoming months/years, we will surely be content with a lot of new and fresh material from this wonderful new french label.