Atropine – Human Emulsion (Album – EK Product)
Genre/Influences: EBM, Dark-Electro.
Format: Digital, Double CD.
Background/Info: Three years after the astonishing album “Assailant” Norwegian EBM combo Atropine is back on track unleashing this double album featuring twelve new songs and thirteen remixes. Atropine is already active since 1994 and has released several full lengths. After a break the band has been active again since 2014.
Content: Atropine is doing what they do the best; composing a sophisticated EBM format, which rapidly evokes the atmosphere of early Skinny Puppy. But it’s much more than simply a new emulation of an EBM Godfather; it’s a well-crafted composition mixing harsh vocals together with tormented spheres and danceable passages. It also evokes to me the genius of Mortal Constraint. The power is rather emerging from the icy, horror-like atmospheres instead of the BPM’s. There’s also a trace of minimalism running through a few songs.
The second disc brings a nice selection of artists who for sure had some pleasure remixing Atropine. This is an opportunity to discover the remix skills of Miza[r], Kant Kino, Tourde Force, SWG, Amnistia, 11grams, Substaat, SKL, Impulskontroll, Amorphous, How Green Is My Toupee, Hexadiode and Pyrroline.
+ + + : If you think that EBM is easy music, you should listen to Atropine who reveal the most sophisticated and definitely intelligent EBM format. This is an elaborated writing composed with the magic of analogue equipment. Songs like “Missile Missive” and “Mutual Demise” definitely belong to the best exposures of this Norwegian formation. But I also have to mention the minimal sounding “Flesh Wreath” and the tormented “Dub Sermon”. If you pay attention to the explicit and horror-like front cover of the album you’ll get an idea about the universe inspiring this work. Among the remixes I heard excellent tracks, but will especially recommend the work by atropine’s compatriots Kant Kino and Substaat. And one more I’ve to add is the less familiar Norwegian artist SKL.
– – – : This is a great album so no real minus points. It remains a pity this band doesn’t get more recognition!
Conclusion: If you’re waiting for a new Skinny Puppy work in the good-old vein of the early years, you better listen to Atropine’s “Human Emulsion”. I promise you’ll not be disappointed!
Best songs: “Missile Missive”, “Mutual Demise”, “Flesh Wreath”, “Dub Sermon”, “Bulwark”, “Knife Vision” + “Missile Missive – Monotow Mix by Substaat”, “Knife Vision – SWG Remix”, “Bulwark – Kant Kino Disco”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/AtropineEBM
Label: www.ekproduct.com / www.facebook.com/EKProduct
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.
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