Grand Mal X – Darkness (CD Album – Ant-zen)
Genre/Influences: Electro-wave, experimental, cinematographic.
Background/Info: Set up in 2010 by Swedish musician Karl Rydby, Grand Mal X has been mainly active releasing music on cassette format. Joining hands together with Ant-zen is not only a consecration for this artist, but is an opportunity to reach a wider audience while “Darkness” also is the first official CD-album.
Content: It’s not an easy thing defining the music of Grand Mal X, but there clearly is an electro-retro approach reminding me of the 80s. The opening songs will appeal for 80s lovers featuring a few great cuts carried by deep bass vibes. Quite progressively the work evolves towards a more experimental- and cinematographic format. It’s more ambient-like and makes me think to ‘glasshouse’-music built up with precious sound treatments.
+ + + : I’m totally addicted to the opening part of the work. The electro-minimal and totally vintage-minded sound is absolutely great. It sounds dark and somewhat sterile while revealing a tormented atmosphere recovering the production. This obscure side comes back in the cinematographic approach of the work. Sound-wise this album is characterized by original sound treatments and carried by deep, overwhelming bass vibrations.
– – – : It’s all about personal taste, but I’m not as convinced by the ambient/cinematographic side of the work. It’s not bad, but definitely not reaching the level of the electro-minimal cuts.
Conclusion: Grand Mal X will be for sure a discovery for numerous electronic lovers, which thanks to the Ant-zen distribution will for sure gain more recognition and interest. This is a band to keep an eye on!
Best songs: “Flamma”, “Stjärndamm”, “Nights”, “Essence”.
Rate: (7½).
Artist: www.facebook.com/Grand–Mal–x-255832711118252
Label: www.ant–zen.com / www.facebook.com/antzen.official
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