Genre/Influences: Dark EBM, ambient-EBM.
Background/Info: Liquid Trauma is a Belgian formation resulting from the common efforts between old electro-servant Peter van Bogaert (Liquid G, Hydrom Line..) and Peter De Koning (Hybryds, Hedera Helix, Crossvaults, TraumaSutra). “Distorted Memories” is the official debut work of this brand-new project, which has been released on the Belgian label Wool-E Discs.
Content: If you’re a bit familiar with the work of both musicians, you’ll quickly agree to say “Distorted Memories” is the perfect sonic symbiosis between their own influences. The songs mix good-old and pure vintage electronics together with dark, haunted atmospheres and a little experimental flavor on top.
This album brings us back to the early hours of dark EBM. The icy electronics and spooky vocal parts are more than once reminding me of early Klinik stuff. But you’ll also find a few more experimental and instrumental pieces, where the ambient input has been accentuated. The most original song is “Gazelle” for the lyrics in Dutch (which is one of the trademarks from Hedera Helix).
+ + + : This album will appeal to all 80s freaks and early lovers of The Klinik and related formations. The vintage sound remains something unique and that refreshing when you’re used to hear the contemporary dark-electronic productions, which sound all the same. There’s a perfect twist between the coldness of the synth atmospheres, the somewhat industrial rhythms and the ghost-like vocals. Liquid Trauma sounds like the good-old Belgian electro, which conquered the world during the 80s!
– – – : Skeptical minds will say that this album features no real innovation. The album is maybe missing an absolute hit. I guess the main point is that this band should for sure get word-wide enthusiastic feedback during the 80s while it’s quite difficult to get into the spotlight today!
Conclusion: Liquid Trauma sounds like a truly resurrection of old Belgian electronic standards, but it first of all is a successful fusion between both artists. I really encourage Liquid Trauma to move on because this album is ‘too good to be true’.
Best songs: “Ghost Cities”, “Funny Song”, “Don’t Eat Meat”, “Transfiguration”.
Rate: (8).
Band: www.facebook.com/liquidtrauma / www.facebook.com/liquidgarbage / www.facebook.com/TempelKoor
Label: www.wool–e–shop.be / www.facebook.com/woolediscs
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