Mono No Aware – Mujoo (CD Album – Hands)
Genre/Influences: Rhythmic-noise, industrial, industrial-trance.
Background/Info: The German sonic ogre is back on track unleashing the seventh album since “Kitanai Yatsu” (2000).
Content: Operator Leif Künzel moves on mixing heavy industrial loops and pure rhythmic-noise patterns. There also is a more electronic touch emerging from a few songs while a minimal approach is also noticeable at a few other cuts. The power remains constant, but the rhythm can sometimes become a little slower. The work also features remixes by Hypnoskull and Cubic Nomad.
+ + + : “Mujoo” is more than simply power; it sometimes feels as ‘controlled power’ but with overwhelming noise blasts. I like the explicit passages with minimal treatments like little bleeping sequences. The last few tracks are more into trance and electronics and I especially recommend listening to “Oh Boy” and “Pounding”. I can’t say that Mono No Aware has reinvented itself on these few tracks, but there’s a wider spectrum of influences that has been covered. Another highlight is the remix of “Impulse Response” by Cubic Nomad transposing the original edit into a heavy, danceable cut with filtered bleeps.
– – – : If you’re not into heavy rhythmic-noise assaults, this album will maybe appeal to you for its trance-industrial part, but globally speaking it remains a brain-damaging experience!
Conclusion: Mono No Aware remains extremely powerful, but still revealing a refreshing touch.
Best songs: “Pounding”, “Impulse Response – Cubic Nomad Remix”, “Oh Boy”, “A Good Decision”, “X”, “ISX”.
Rate: (8½).
Label: www.handsproductions.com / www.facebook.com/hands.official
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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.
