Genre/Influences: Minimal-electronics, cold-wave electro.

Background/Info: “Anucrusis” is the 2^nd full length album for the duo Kriistal Ann –  Toxic Razor, which has been released again on the British label Peripheral Minimal. The songs have been composed with good-old analogue equipment and released on vinyl format, strictly limited to 300 copies.

Content: Paradox Obscur sounds totally devoted to the vintage electronic style and quickly awakens good-old memories from the 80s electronic cold-wave scene. It sounds pretty cold and into minimalism. I noticed a few EBM influences, and also space-like bleeps and evasive passages carried by great synth sounds.

It’s a pure old-school minded compositions, which might remind you of a band like Absolute Body Control. There also is this typical 80s production in the vocals, which sounds sterile and without real emotion.

+ + + : Kriistal Ann more and more becomes a reference for fascinating vintage electronics. “Anucrusis” has been accomplished with a real passion for vintage electronics. The songs are carried by irresistible retro-like sound treatments and cold, bewitching vocals. This album only features 10 songs, but has several great cuts. Paradox Obscur has brought this typical 80s spirit back to life.

– – – : There are no real minus points about this album, but I’m just afraid it’s the kind of minimal production that will only catch the interest of a restricted number of people and that’s really a pity because this is a great piece of work.

Conclusion: “Anucrusis” is an album that clearly does not have the pretention to innovate in sound rather than a successful ode to early electronic pioneers experimenting with minimal EBM and related genres.

Best songs: “Shock”, “Hot Steel”, “Drone”, “Coal And Dust”, “Spectral Isis”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/paradoxobscur

Label: www.peripheralminimal.co.uk /  www.facebook.com/PeripheralMinimal