Amantra – Alteration (Album – M-Tronic)

Genre/Influences: Industrial-Techno, Experimental.
Format: Digital.
Background/Info: Amantra is another solo-project driven by Thierry Arnal (TH.A, Scorched Earth Policy Lab ao). Under the Amantra moniker he already released works on Thisco, Ohm Resistance and Kvitnu. He released collaborative productions together with Rasalasad, Luke Lund or Submerged. I know the artist for his Cinematographic and somewhat Experimental approach while this new work, which comes closer to a mini-album, has been introduced as something different.
Content: The (mini)-album features 6 cuts, taking off with a heavy Industrial-Techno piece filled with multiple effects. This approach is quite representative for the entire work although I noticed a few ‘softer’ passages supported with an extra Ambient atmosphere. The last track is clearly composed to set dancefloors on fire; carried by a solid bass line and the perfect symbiosis between Techno and Industrial.
+ + + : Thierry Arnal clearly sounds fascinated by sounds and noises he likes to transpose into something new; like injecting his own stamp into the original sound. He empowered this sonic puzzle with heavy beats, creating this somewhat experimental format of Industrial-Techno music. And especially the already mentioned final cut “Anthropocentrism” is a real smasher. The track is also more elaborated than the others. Among the ‘softer’ pieces I also have to mention “System Failure”.
– – – : Amantra is not composing the typical Industrial-Techno sound and I even have a doubt if it’s the original intention. That’s probably why it remains pretty Experimental and maybe too complex for dancefloors.
Conclusion: “Alteration” sounds like a new approach of Industrial-Techno; complex and pure sonic anarchy!
Best songs: “Anthropocentrism”, “System Failure”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Thierry.Arnal70
Label: www.m-tronic.com / www.facebook.com/mtroniclabel
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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.
