First Aid 4 Souls – Dark Tunnel (Digital Absynthe)
CD / Cassette / DL
Out Now
7.5 / 10
Hungarian electronic darkwave artist releases his new album.
Imagine, if you can, a meeting point between Jean-Michel
Jarre, The Mission and D.A.F. Intrigued?
You should be, as First Aid 4 Souls slowly drag you into an album that is
high-powered electro-industry of an extremely infectious nature. Brought to you by Hungarian artist Istvan
Gazdag each track features words and vocals from Mortum (aka Human Vault) which
growl and snarl at every opportunity.
From the opening of Her Face As An Angel it’s pretty clear
that the album will take no prisoners.
Heavy, pumping basslines gurgle with a distinct anarchism which blends
wonderfully with a strange pop sensibility making it both pleasant on the ear
and hard on the mind at the same time.
Fast paced electronic flutters soon make way for an industrial workout
and multiple layers of synthed sounds which entice the listener in.
Each track is much of the same with a pop undertone and
throbbing Euro beats which are both dark and brutal mixing trance with acid and
a sprinkling of Goth which seems to mould together perfectly. The album is often allowed to flow freely
with a sound that Gazdag has clearly made his own and the title track stands
out as a clear highlight.
Back To Dust has an almost reggae backbeat which is curious
to say the least as Mortum’s growling vocals come into play and Dead Life To
The Sons Of Men is cleverly constructed to sound like a monastery choir amidst
heavy guitar like breaks and anthemic electro sounds created a cavalcade of
noise.
There is an element of respite in Sleeping In Death and Let
The Man Just Born slow proceedings slightly with the latter having a sprinkling
of Xmas synth chimes added to the mix and album closer Inside There Is No God
operates a neo-ambient feel as it simplistically glides from beginning to end
with a serene conclusion.
Dark Tunnel is interesting to say the least with the ability
to please several genres of listener. The
forceful deepness of Gazdag’s backing works well with the sneering vocals and the
often complicated tracks seem to gel quite easily. Best played loud to annoy the neighbours.
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