Machinalis Tarantulae – Diptyque (CD Album – Audiotrauma)
Genre/Influences: Experimental, industrial, ethereal.
Background/Info: “Distyque” is the second album released by Machinalis Tarantulae. The band was originally set up by Justine Ribière in 2014 and later on joined by Miss Z (Punish Yourself) who contributed to the writing of this new opus.
Content: The least I can say is that this is an original and artistic composition. The main characteristic of Machinalis Tarantulae is the use of an electric viol de gamba, which has been connected to multiple stereo effects. It however creates a dreamy-like and somewhat medieval-orientated sound. This sound has been mixed with harder guitar play, electronic arrangements and industrial beats. The vocals are moving from enigmatic and somewhat bewitching ethereal parts towards harsh male vocals.
+ + + : What I especially like on this album is the original part. This band clearly tries to innovate, mixing medieval and ethereal elements together with rather classical electro-industrial parts. The harder side of the production clearly reminds to Punish Yourself, which remains another original formation. Machinalis Tarantulae is bringing somewhat opposites genres together. The result is matching and revealing multiple cool songs. It also is a well-crafted album.
– – – : Innovative and visionary artists aren’t always the most recognized ones. “Distyque” sounds a bit as a challenge revealing a style, which is hard to label and clearly covering a wide range of influences.
Conclusion: I heard multiple noticeable productions during 2017, but this one definitely belongs to the most original ones. Machinalis Tarantulae is a band to keep an eye on, but also confirming the good taste of Audiotrauma.
Best songs: “Onsolete”, “Clown”, “Dark Dark Green”.
Rate: (8).
Band: www.machinalis.net / www.facebook.com/machinalistarantuale
Label: www.audiotrauma.org / www.facebook.com/audiotrauma.records
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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.
