BIO-TEK - Punishment for Decadence
Songs: 10  Time:  48:42
How does Jonathan Sharp do it?  Every Bio-Tek album he makes has no changes in formula, writing, or in vocal stylings yet each album winds up being a phenomenal piece of work.  Well, Punishment for Decadence is no exception.  Granted, some techno elements are added this time along with the trademark bombastic beats and minimal programming, but the basic element is still there...and I personally wouldn't have it any other way.  The string work on this album is simply exquisite, and no where else is that more evident then on my favorite track  Eve Black, Eve White.  Despite the unusual title, this track is chocked full of elegant strings and piano lines, a simple bassline, Jonathan's trademark growls and a floor shattering beat.  This album seems to have a religious aspect to it, but it is cleverly abstract in a way also.  Razorback is an instrumental dance piece that, while being somewhat repetitive, still manages to be a great track.  Next on my favorites list was Mary Alice.  The lyrics seem to be very personal, about someone he may have known who committed suicide, interweaving with the slow rumbling beat and creepy strings/sequences.  For minimal EBM, Jonathan pulls off a full orchestral chorus in this and many other songs.  Continuing the slow trend, is a delightful cover of Placebo's Pure Morning.  Steel Against Skin, the original proposed title for this album, is another wonderfully fast electro-dance piece that flutters around with technofied sequences and great symphonic elements.  Plus, despite what you might think form the title...its not about anything cyber!!!  Sharp once again puts forth a good album and displays why he's considered one of the cream of this crop of industrial.
 
reviewed by D. Sudia
 
   
DOPPLER EFFECT                                Bio-Tek is:                     e-mail: kaq97@dial.pipex.com
c/o Chris Christian                                   Jonathan Sharp     Bio-Tek homepage:
3027 NW Overlook Drive # 935             Contact Bio-Tek @      http://bio.terrorist.org/mission-control
Hillsboro, OR 97124-6937                       Mission Control
e-mail: dfx@sonic-boom.com                PO BOX 12
DOPPLER EFFECT homepage:           Maryport, Cumbria
 http://www.sonic-boom.com/dfx/x/        CA15 6GA   England
 
1)  Leviathan            2)  Eve Black Eve White    3)  Razorback
4)  Mary Alice           5)  Steel Against Skin     6)  Pure Morning
7)  Shield               8)  Affirmation            9)  Kingdom
10) Exegesis