The Pain Machinery
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For the unaware, Pain Machinery are a Swedish export whom became known to me via their participation in the milestone compilation 'Krach Test' from Ad Noiseam. Here of course it is nothing but Pain Machinery which means that the microscope is scratching the glass instead of being safely perched across the lab. It's an interesting collection with some solid material, just a tad too EBM influenced for my personal tastes but don't let that stop you from seeking it out.
The 7 track disc contains 27 minutes of material which ranges from almost powernoise type constructions to literal if progressive EBM translations. Track 4 for example is total dancefloor fodder, not pure 80s synth retro or anything but very 'doof doof doof' step write kind of plodding mid-tempo dance music. It's good though, using a particularly angular synth line that I really appreciate, a pinched nerve bad science riff that moves it out of the mundane for me. The fifth track displays another gear ratio, a slow 'powernoise hall' anthem if you can imagine such a thing which between it's digital hardcore influenced staccato bass sequencing (very nice bit of programming that) and steady driving beat had me heading back to the chiropractor for some re-alignement. It's not terribly mean but fuck is it rockin'.
Overall disc displays decent sampling capabilities throughout, tasty sound design and the production ain't too shabby either. My only complaint in this area is that definition is lost a little on the opening track when the (intentional, not background) noise levels rise up and this lowers the impact a bit. Still, the overall effect here is satisfying and about the only change I would suggest would be song order, just so that there is a more of a progression towards or away from chaos instead of the sample and hold layout currently favoured.
Due to the abrasive sonics but structural EBM familiarity, the main comparison I can think of is Britian's Maruta Command which is excellent company IMHO. If the ratio of Dive and Sonar in your music collection is about even, then you should definitely consider checking out Pain Machinery.
Review from Industrial.org
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