DEMENTIA SIMPLEX - Yeah, I Killed My Mama

Songs: 20  Time:  69:24

Portions of Dementia Simplex's 2nd effort, Yeah, I Killed My Mama, will give you a twisted insight into the mind of a serial killer, while at the same time pointing out the bands negative view on the death penalty.  Nestled between each of the ten songs are shorter, nearly experimental pieces, each peppered with creepy samples, bizarre sounds, and minimal music.  At times these pieces (called Slices) distract from the meatier songs on the CD, yet it is within these Slices that the album develops and carries out it's focus.  Havoc stands out as being the guinea pig track on the album.  Unlike their more electronic tracks, Havoc relies more on the electric guitar sound than it does the electronics, giving it a more rock-orientated feel.  Slice 1068 is one of the many fantastic pieces on this album.  The music is uniquely complex and compelling, the vocals are extremely distinct, and the samples border on deranged.  The beats and rhythms on this track are definitely adequate for any dance floor.  Cry to Heaven is one of the few tracks on the album that doesn't fit into the overall theme.  Sounding more like a slow, electronic love ballad, Cry To Heaven may have been better suited as a b-side to a single.  While this track does seem a bit out of place, it still stands as one of the more prominent pieces on the album.  Slower and less aggressive in nature, Cry To Heaven is built upon a galloping beat, soft-spoken vocals, and a subtle, yet sharp rhythm.  God Loves Blood displays a slightly rock-ier side to Dementia Simplex.  Not quite as dense as Havoc, God Loves Blood does implement a lot of guitar sounds, along with what sounds like real (and not electronic) drums.  There are some synth elements to this piece, but they are definitely overshadowed by raw sounds.  An instant favorite, and one of the first tracks I had heard off of this CD prior to its release, Testicle Crack contains a plethora of distinct components, including cascading synths, vocoded vocals, and sporadic beats.  Testicle Crack has some nice breaks within it, making it a favorable club piece.  While the music throughout Yeah, I Killed My Mama… is phenomenal, some of the lyrics are a bit trivial.  Granted, this is a German outfit singing in English, some of their word choices and overall grammar leave a bit to be desired.  This is easy overlooked once you are able to immerse yourself in their music.  Whereas many modern bands opt for a more minimalistic approach to their programming, Dementia Simplex bombard you with an array of various sounds, sequences, samples, and such.  Every time I pop this CD into the player, I am able to hear something new, which gives this CD a fresh sound every time.  I'm not quite sure why, but I have a difficult time finding people who actually like their music.  For me, it's some of the most stimulating stuff to hit the scene in quite some time. I, for one, highly recommend this CD.
        
OFF BEAT RECORDS         Dementia Simplex is:
Horster Strasse 27                  Klaus Weißer / Thorsten Fries / Sascha Herrmann
45897 Gelsenkirchen-Buer    Frank Feldt / Mario Nier
Germany                                  Contact Dementia Simplex @
                                                  DSD-Studio
                                                 c/o Dementia Simplex
                                                 Berliner Strasse 31-35
                                                 65760 Eschborn
                                                 Germany
                                                 e-mail: herrmann@job.de
                                                Dementia Simplex homepage:
                                                http://members.aol.com/DementiaSx/