Xtort – Isolation (CD Album – Musiklab/DaRecords)
Genre/Influences: Industrial, dark-electro.
Background/Info: The name of this formation from The Netherlands will probably remind you to the “Xtort”-album released by KMFDM in 1996. I’m not sure the band has been inspired by KMFDM, but it consists of a project that has been set up by members of the industrial-metal minded HOER. Xtort wanted to move on industrial paths, but with some extra new-wave elements instead of metal music. After 3 EP’s they now have unleashed their debut full length revealing 10 songs.
Content: We clearly can’t affirm Xtort is a pure industrial formation. They’re just using industrial sounds like distorted drums and some rough noises, which they’ve mixed with elements from dark-electro music and even pure vintage electro-ambient elements reminding to J.M. Jarre.
The vintage aspect of multiple sounds and global arrangements is a quite noticeable element. The work is pretty diversified and even into rather classical dark-electro music featuring vocals à la Claus Larsen (cf. “Seele”).
+ + + : I like the approach of Xtort of composing a dark-electro inspired sound with some harsher industrial elements on top. The retro-approach is quite exciting.
– – – : The global production sounds rough and unpolished, which might be voluntary, but it not exactly sound professional. Some of the vocal parts are not that passionate and powerful enough although a few tracks clearly reveal more rage and passion.
Conclusion: There’re a few good elements running through this work although I expected much more from this band, which already has a lot of experience.
Best songs: “Space”, “Isolation”.
Rate: (6).
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
