Mechanimal
– Delta Pi Delta (Inner Ear Records)
LP
/ CD / DL
4
January 2016
9
/ 10
Greek Industrial Electro Pop act release their
third album.
Secret Science, the ‘difficult second album’
from Mechanimal sounded like a breeze in the park for the act led by programmer
and writer Giannis Papaioannou. It’s
dark, industrial soundscapes provided one of the finest albums of 2014 (see
review here). The new album, Delta Pi Delta
(represented by the acronym ΔΠΔ) sees the band opt for a
new line-up including female vocalist Eleni Tzavara and a slightly more
commercial approach. The results are
successful, and their blend of industrial, dance and electronica is becoming
more and more addictive.
Ten new tracks, including two instrumentals see
the band re-group after some recent tension and the addition of Tzavara adds a
whole new dimension to their sound.
Delta Pi Delta starts with slow beginnings. Sunlight and Repetition kick off the album, both
tracks being slow burners to an album which builds and builds to some mighty
sounds. There are hints of eras gone by,
most noticeably on Thistlemilk which has more than an inkling of A Flock Of
Seagulls’ I Ran in the intro, and comparisons to Faithless will continue particularly
on Sawdust and Winter Mute.
The bassline to Winter Mute throbs and bubbles
much like Faithless’ massively underrated Not Going Home and the shoegaze
guitars blend perfectly with spiralling synth sounds. An anthemic vocal propels the track into magnificent
dance attempt.
After starting subtlety and then moving more
upbeat, the album then starts to take on a fascinating dark direction with
Sextant which spreads an almost drone-like feel, and Ferrum incorporates an
electronic Bhangra beat to a brooding instrumental with dark guitars and sprawling
electronic bursts.
Illuminations goes all 90s Indie and album
closer Search The Woods groups varying loops together to create a confusing yet
compelling backdrop to an otherwise haunting theme over a dramatic soundscape.
Dedicated to the Greek artist, painter and long-term friend of the band Nicholas
Liber who sadly passed away in 2013, Delta Pi Delta is an album with a journey
that sees Mechanimal develop their sound even further. There is the potential for widespread acclaim
outside their homeland and hopefully this will be the album that finally gives
them what they richly deserve.
Links
Inner Ear Records
Mechanimal website
Mechanimal on Twitter
Mechanimal on Facebook
Secret Science album review
Published on Louder Than War 1/01/16 - here
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