Fïx8:Sëd8 – OctAgram (Digital/CD Album – Dependent)

Martin Sane returns with a conceptual album where, as you might have guessed, the number 8 takes center stage. It goes far beyond just the symbolism of the number—this is reflected in the album (at least the standard version), which features 8 tracks, each just over 8 minutes long.
Concepts are interesting, but for me, music is much more important, isn’t it? Fix8:Sëd8 has never disappointed me, and this time is no different. The music is incredibly well-crafted; you might even think there are multiple sections within each track. Yet, everything fits together beautifully, creating a cohesive and compact whole. The compositions are highly developed, showcasing an impressive variety of sounds and arrangements.
Much of the atmosphere remains dark and tormented—exactly what we expect from this kind of music. This Dark-Electro album once again evokes the imagery and sound of early Skinny Puppy, but I can also definitely hear influences from Mentallo & The Fixer and Yelworc. These are bands with that little extra; they craft their pieces with patience and precision, driven by a passion for creating and blending sounds. Industrial percussion makes occasional appearances, and everything is further enhanced by Sane’s raw vocals and explicit spoken-word samples.
This is an exceptional record for those drawn to darker themes, and it once again emphasizes the growing stature of this project. (Rating:9).
Listen to “Oathbreaker”:
Read the news on ‘OctAgram’.
About Fix8:Sëd8
Fix8:Sëd8 is a dark-electro project from Wiesbaden, Germany, led by Martin Sane. The project released its debut album “Humanophobia” in 2006, followed by “Dormicum” in 2009. After an eight-year pause, Fix8:Sëd8 relaunched in 2017 with “Foren6”, followed by “Warning Signs” in 2020 and “The Inevitable Relapse” on Dependent Records in January 2021, released with a limited edition 36-page hardcover artbook and the bonus CD “Rail At A Liar”. The project now returns with “OctAgram” on Dependent.

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