Silent Weapon – Demonised (Digital/CD Album – Blindsight Records)
The British project Silent Weapon has been active for a few years now and seems to have a penchant for remixing its own work—or better yet, reinterpreting it into Dub versions. I usually refuse reviewing albums that consist of remixes, but since this follows a different approach, with the band handling everything themselves, I felt it was worth sharing my impressions.
The nine tracks on this release were originally featured on “Demonology”, which came out last year. I can assure you that each song has undergone a significant ‘sound-lift’, with slow, sometimes sensual Dub rhythms supported by deep bass lines that resonate in your throat, leaving no listener indifferent. However, this is more than just Dub—the band’s signature dark, Industrial-oriented style is seamlessly woven into the mix.
The result is stunning and undoubtedly a successful experiment. At times, the darker sections feel almost tormented, only to evolve into an unexpected Psychedelic experience. Occasionally, I find myself missing the vocals (which were present in the original tracks) or some spoken-word samples, but on the other hand, this Dub version feels more original and even superior in some ways. This is an absolute recommendation for open-minded listeners. (Rating:8).
Listen to “Swallow – Force Fed Dub”:
About Silent Weapon
Silent Weapon is the solo project of Oxford, UK-based musician Umair Chaudhry, who handles recording, mixing, mastering and artwork himself under the project. “Demonology”, its nine-track album of dark Industrial material, was released via Blindsight Records last year. “Demonised” reworks those same nine tracks into Dub versions, again for Blindsight Records.
Support Side-Line
More people read Side-Line than ever, and there is still no paywall and no advertising. Readers pay for it instead - from $5 a month.
Why we ask
Advertising revenues across the media are falling fast. Unlike many news organisations we have not put up a paywall, and we refuse to add annoying advertising, so we need to ask for your help. Side-Line’s independent journalism takes time, money and hard work to produce, and we do it to push the artists we like, who are equally fighting to survive.
Handled by PayPal.
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.
