Reichsfeind – Darken (Album – Alfa Matrix)
Genre/Influences: Techno-Pop, Dark-Pop.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Timo Revna has been active under the Reichsfeind moniker since 2011. He released two noticeable albums before joining hands with Alfa Matrix. He re-edited both albums plus the new EP “Persona” (2020). “Darken” is his first new album released by Alfa Matrix.
Content: Reichsfeind moves on mixing different influences together. The work is constantly carried by Electro-Pop arrangements while carried by Techno elements and recovered with a darker touch. The vocals are pretty robotic while you’ll also notice female backings and multiple spoken samplings. The work sounds danceable and catchy.
+ + + : The main strength of this German project is the atypical Electro-Pop format. Electro-Pop and Techno elements have been mixed creating a visionary approach which might appeal for lovers of Faderhead and X Marks The Pedwalk. I like the darker touch supporting the songs but also the solid Techno boost. The songs are well-crafted and the tracklist reveals several potential singles. I however have a preference for “Red Pills” driven by a cold and solid lead which is more suited for Dark-Electro music. But that’s precisely the point where the artist shows his talent and visionary approach transforming this solid lead into a heavy, danceable, Electro-Pop driven song. I also recommend songs like “Wish There Was A Drug” for its elevating chorus plus “Desire” and “Darken” both carried by catchy choruses.
– – – : There’re a few ‘softer’, dreamy, pieces featured which aren’t exactly the best exponents of the work although injecting a few breaks.
Conclusion: There where too many electro-Pop artists remain inspired by the past and especially 80s productions, Reichsfeind opens a window upon Electro-Pop music for further generations.
Best songs: “Red Pills”, “Wish There Was A Drug”, “Desire”, “Darken”, “This”, “Frontiers”, “Moth”.
Rate: 9.
Artist: www.facebook.com/Reichsfeind
Label: www.alfa-matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix Read the news on ‘Darken’.
About Reichsfeind
Reichsfeind is the solo project of Frankfurt-based German musician Timo Revna, who set it up in 2011. The project mixes electro-pop and techno-pop with a darker undercurrent, robotic lead vocals and spoken samples. Discogs also lists Destroy Me Again as an alias and gives his name as Timo Cromm.
Revna released two albums independently before signing to the Belgian label Alfa Matrix, which re-edited both of them together with the 2020 EP “Persona”. Alfa Matrix issued “Darken”, his first new album for the label, on May 27, 2022 as a twelve-track download and CD. The six-track EP “This”, with remixes by VDOC and Amnistia, followed in September 2022, and the free download single “The Beauty of Blur” appeared in May 2023.
Revna discussed the writing of the album reviewed here in the ‘Click Interview’ with Reichsfeind, published on Side-Line in September 2022.
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.
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