Genre/Influences: Industrial-EBM, EBM.
Background/Info: Pete Crane and Ben Bulig better known under the Shiv-R moniker are back on track and have unleashed their newest studio album. The album has been released on CD- and digital format on their own label Blind Mice Productions while I noticed there also is a digital format available in Europe via darkTunes Music Group.
Content: The Australian duo became an instant success story and this new opus only confirms the potential of Shiv-R. The sound became more ‘personal’ throughout the years, reaching a harsh mix of EBM and raw, industrial sound treatments. I also noticed a few quieter cuts revealing moody atmospheres. Shiv-R has something unique sometimes accentuated by a punkish flavor on top of the production.
+ + + : What I especially like on this work is the personal approach of Shiv-R. They’ve found their own sound, inspired by familiar influences, but resulting in something different from the ‘traditional’ electro-underground release. Raw bass lines, fat sound treatments, cool effects, space-like sweeps and an industrial touch are the main keywords to define the global sound of this album. It has been carried by hard-pumping kicks and the alluring vocals of Pete Crane. I also noticed a more emotive side running through this work. It’s not my favorite part of the work although “Apples” is a real cool song.
– – – : I already mentioned I’m not totally convinced by some of the ‘softer’ cuts (by the exception of one song). Shiv-R sounds at their best when they’re composing hard-hitting songs!
Conclusion: Shiv-R confirms their leading status as Australian electro/industrial formation. This new album has something more personal in sound, but also is a well-crafted piece of modern and powerful electronics.
Best songs: “Something To Say”, “Escape Velocity”, “Cheshire Grin”, “Disconnect”.
Rate: (8).
Band: www.shiv–r.com / www.facebook.com/shiverindustrial
Label: www.blind–mice–productions.com / www.facebook.com/blindmiceproductions
Since you’re here … … we have a small favour to ask. More people are reading Side-Line Magazine than ever but advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. And unlike many news organisations, we haven’t put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as open as we can. So you can see why we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce. But we do it because we want to push the artists we like and who are equally fighting to survive. If everyone who reads our reporting, who likes it, helps fund it, our future would be much more secure. For as little as 2 US$, you can support Side-Line Magazine – and it only takes a minute. Thank you. The donations are safely powered by Paypal.
