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Non-Prog CD Reviews

Wiccid

By Design

Review by Gary Hill

I like this album quite a bit. It mixes techno, industrial and electronic dance music textures. At times it reminds me of Marilyn Manson. At other points it calls to mind Bauhaus. There isn't enough variety here to hold up to close scrutiny. That said, this isn't the kind of music you are supposed to sit back and listen to. You are supposed to be on your feet and moving. It would work much better in that context. It's an entertaining set.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2018  Volume 1 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review
Ash
Techno, industrial and electronic dance music all seem to merge as this cut opens the set. It's energetic and rather catchy. It's also meaty.
Torn

There are parts of this that make me think of Marilyn Manson. Still, other parts are closer to the more melodic of the electronic music end of the spectrum. All in all, this is another strong cut in the mode you'd expect with this set. This is actually one of the stronger pieces here. I like the balance of sounds, and there are some cool sounding keyboard parts.

Inhuman Nature

There is a definite dance element here, but the Marilyn Manson links are even more apparent on this cut. I love the dropped back sections. They create such a cool mood.

Tomorrow Without Fear

The opening on this makes me think of an airplane. The groove that follows is so cool. This is Gothic and classy. This feels more like Bauhaus than Marilyn Manson. Either way, it's one of the highlights.

Break

Built around contrasting mellower and more powered up movements, this is another effective cut.

Fire in Your Veins

"Bauhaus meets Prodigy" might be a good description of this song. It's solid, but not really a standout.  

Lights
This has some particularly effective melodies. It keeps the energy level up, too. It's dramatic and one of the better pieces here. It's just a lot of fun. The chorus is so catchy.
The Reconstructing Gods
A bit meaner, this is a solid techno number with some electronic dance elements at play.
Prey Predator
Not a big change, this is another solid example of this kind of EDM meets techno sound.
Anxiety
The mellower drop back mid-track on this is a nice touch. In a lot of ways this has more of a mainstream sound than the familiar techno element at play.
The Grand Comedian
The sound that opens this is decidedly meaner. It sounds quite a bit like Bauhaus. This is another highlight of the set, and that makes it a great choice for the final salvo.

 

 
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