Genre/Influences: EBM.
Background/Info: Rene and Andrea Nowotny are back on track unleashing the fifth opus of AD:Key. The German duo stands for 100% true EBM and have released albums on Electric Tremor Dessau and Emmo.biz. Alfa Matrix has caught a big fish, this band definitely belonging to the top level of EBM over the past few years.
Content: If you know what this band is able to produce you for sure expect a new great piece of ‘body music’. AD:Key remains faithful to their sound formula, which is driven upon solid bass lines, danceable rhythms, meticulous sound treatments and mainly duo vocals sung in German. The link and comparison with Armageddon Dildos is once again a fact, but it especially remains me to early work of the ‘Dildos’ with some extra power and contemporary production tricks on top.
The limited edition features an extra disc with only remixes. AD:Key accomplished 2 remixes leaving the rest of the work to Orange Sector, Aggrezzior, Decoded Feedback, Amnistia, The Psychic Force, Robotiko Rejekto, Trilogy, Pseudokrupp Project, Zweite Jugend and Stockholm Wrecking Crew.
+ + + : AD:Key is much more than simple EBM. It’s a well-crafted and powerful sound accomplished with noticeable little bleeps, carrying bass lines and elevating choruses. There’s a cool match between the sterile, but sexy female vocals and the harder male ones. I also like a kind of funny aspect running through their work. Just pay attention for the song “never Enough” featuring simplistic English lyrics with a little wink to The Rolling Stones universal rock hit “Satisfaction”. “Reanimator” stands for non-stop EBM power and multiple cool songs.
Among the remixes I especially want to recommend the groovy version of “Mein Weg” remixed by Robotiko Rejekto. Other noticeable cuts have been featured by The Psychic Force, Amnistia and Decoded Feedback.
– – – : The only regret I have with “Reanimator” is that the album is missing the ultimate hit. We get an impressive number of cool songs instead so in the end you don’t hear me complaining.
Conclusion: AD:Key reinforces the EBM troops of Alfa Matrix, but it first of all is one of the most successful contemporary bands in the genre. “Reanimator” will make your body move, that’s for sure!
Best songs: “Du Bewegst Dich Nicht”, “Shameless”, “Eskalation”, “Mein Weg”, “Hater” + “Mein Weg – Remix by RaHen of Robotiko Rejekto”, “Ich Reanimiere Dich – Remix by The Psychic Force”.
Rate: (8½).
