Songs: 9 Time: 48:31
Most of you will remember a few years back
when Cyber-Tec released an extended single called Let Your Body Die.
Well, for those of you who wondered what ever happened to the full-length, I
give you C-Tec, the redeveloped and renamed band. Although JS9 is no
longer a part of C-Tec, Demeyer and Denton still remain core members, along with
Cubanate’s Marc Heal. Also present on this CD are Phil Barry, Rhys
Fulber (FLA), and the boys behind Haujobb. So, with all this
input from people whose electronic creations vary in style and sound, what does
C-Tec sound like now? Let’s begin with the opening track, Random. A
more perfect name could not have been chosen for this piece, for what lies
within it is a multitude of styles. Random begins with a reverberating sequence
and exquisite drum and bass beats. This continues for some time, with mini
guitar intrusions that add some cohesiveness. Beats change up, rhythms dissolve
and reform, taking this track through a combination of IDM, drum and bass and
electro. Once Demeyer begins singing over top of this electronic cloud of
stylistic dust, the track takes on a different feeling, pushing it more towards
a intelligent techno track with raw vocals. I was immediately surprised (and
ecstatic) at how much their sound had changed. Flowing was co-written by
Fulber and, even though it still treads through a more intelligent electro
field, it has some of his staple guitar aggressiveness throughout. The guitar
is not overpowering, but it does add yet another level to the piece, carrying it
through several genres of electronic music. Demeyer’s vocals are much more
dominating and less gentle, as they were on the previous track. I actually get
the impression that he is filled to the brim with angst and he releases it
during the shouted chorus’. The drum and bass percussion returns on Fetal,
but quickly morphs into a more complex electro dance beat. Again, on this
track, the sequences are quick to change and never remain constant for any
length of time. Silent Voices is a vocal piece in which there is no true
music, only a background of random, flowing sequences and beats. The Lost
contains a resonating rhythm, whispered vocals, and a mid-paced dance beat.
Reverting back towards the IDM aspect, Shift IV is propelled by a
fluctuating drum and bass beat that quickly turns into a breakbeat covered with
subtle guitar riffs. I am quite happy with the new direction C-Tec have taken.
With the apparent demise of the older Haujobb sound it’ll be nice to hear some
similar ideas in the musical community live on.
SYNTHETIC SYMPHONY / SPV
PO BOX 72 11 47
30531 Hanover
Germany
C-Tec
is:
Ged
Denton / Jean-Luc Demeyer / Marc Heal
with additional input from
Phil Barry / Rhys Fulber / Haujob