Strom.ec - Divine Legions Beyond Psyche (Malignant Records)

As a confirmed mind fuck addict and audio thrill seeker, I was initiated very early on to the likes of Cold Meat Industry and even Wax Trax way back when, but could never get my overactive imagination it's fully satisfying fix until this label and No Visible Scars crossed my path this year. NOTHING on this label is anything that you HAVE heard before, it encompasses the enitre lengthy and diverse sound history of the best damn musical genre ever, Electronic, and manages to keep it unique and progressive. With that rather long winded intro and ass kissing to my friends and collaborators I will now commence with the review.

I don't know much about this artist except that they are from Finland, have toured with the likes of Nurse With Wound, and make some of the best harsh electronic/post-industrial that I've ever heard. At times this album is the soundtrack of a mad scientist's lab, the roaring and chuckling of a mutant animal as electrodes buzz and resonate like those in Dr. Frankensteins lair. The sound of electric chirps and weird space alien sounds are heard in the background, as some biological oddity hides beneath the surface.

The sounds of torture and sadistic acts sculk within this rumble, but are never masked. It's almost as if you were hearing a recording of a torture session in fast forward, there's no mistaking the distinct suffering of the victim and the criminal acts going on here, they are just warped into a mixture with the sounds of a thousand mega-watts of electricity resonating through concrete and steel cells. This stuff is pulsating, gyrating, demented, and brilliant, as much as it is even soothing and captivating. You definitely need to be in the dark with this one on, it's the total mind warping, subconscious terror striker that is almost uncomparable to anything else. Take the ultimate challenge and try sleeping to this one on sleep inducing meds listening through headphones and I guarantee the most bizarre thoughts and dreams will come to the forefront of your mind. No wonder I'm so fucked up.

Essential for fans of: Deutsch Nepal, Brighter Death Now, NTT, Subklinik, Indigo Larvae, Rasthof Dachau, Steel Hook Prosthesis, Yen Pox, Namanax...