DIGITAL FACTOR - Countercheck

Songs: 13  Time: 57:17

Digital Factor have always done a decent job creating solid EBM music and they continue to do so on Countercheck.  Even though they’re not really treading any new ground as far as the overall song structures go, they do manage to introduce some sounds that they haven’t used in the past.  Hard Ware is a ‘cyber’ orientated track, but it’s not one that is overly complex.  Pulsing rhythm lines are joined with laser-like sequences to create a track that is highly danceable, but it’s nothing that we haven’t heard before.  Spoilt For Choice sports a rough percussion line that is similar to what some of the danceable noise groups are using these days.  Along with that, Digital Factor rely heavily on the high-pitched, wet sequences and drowned out vocals to carry the track through.  Spacebar begins with a great atmospheric sequence prior to introducing the steady, standard EBM beat and growling vocals.  This is one of the tracks in which the vocals really stand out against the music, especially during the chorus.  Delving back in into the realm of cyber electro EBM, First Contact (Encounter Part I) is driven by a dominating beat and raw, old-styled sequences.  Breath of Coolness is a nice instrumental track with deep synth patterns joined together with airy sequences.  The main problem with this piece is that there isn’t enough diversity within it, so it quickly becomes stale.  With the second ½ of the album seems to come some experimental influences.  Both Fortuneteller’s Pie in the Sky and Code 272626 are noisy instrumentals with EBM beats that are rough, yet solid.  A techno beat is introduced in Unnecessary Future Horror Visions, a track that is a bit more accessible and straightforward than the rest of the album.  Lost Visions is an apocalyptic piece with dark sequences, frightful samples and a distorted beat.  I do not dislike this album entirely, but it seems that Digital Factor are stuck in the same frame of mind that they were when they recorded their previous two full lengths.  With the majority of the other electronic bands moving their music forward with the times, I had expected Digital Factor to do the same, which was why Countercheck was a bit of a letdown.

 
HYPNOBEAT/HYPERIUM                         Digital Factor are:
P.O. Box 91027                                               Torsten Heise / Tino Schmidt / Mike Langer
90259 Nurnberg
Germany
Phone  49 911 933770
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e-mail: 100660.1760@compuserve.com
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