Kiffie - Interplanetary Exodus

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Kiffie’s Interplanetary Exodus mingles his melancholy voice with affecting songwriting and a a wide open, layered auditory canvas. He creates music with power and emotional depth that has a desolate feeling along with moving tragedy permeating it. This album takes me on a journey through loss and pain tinged with hope.

Without the unique qualities of Kiffie’s voice, Interplanetary Exodus wouldn’t be the same album. He creates a deeply mournful, emotionally raw feeling with his vocals that cuts to the heart. His voice gives the lyrics he’s written added weight and emphasis as he combines emptiness and expression in his performance. Pulse Labs also contributes a touching vocal on her song “Better Than This.”

I find the lyrical content of Interplanetary Exodus to be compelling as well. Kiffie explores themes of loss, need, fear and pain in his songwriting in a way that draws me into all of those mental states. When he expresses more hopeful feelings, those feelings are heightened by the elegiac melancholy that fills the contrasting verses.

All of the sonic interactions on this album deepen the expression of the vocals and lyrics. The synth palette runs the gamut from bleak coldness to fragility interspersed with seething darkness and propulsive power. I enjoy the contrast between delicate piano parts and towering, jagged bass and active drums. The mingled sonic layers create a more engaging listening experience.

My Favourite Tracks Reviewed

“One Choice Left” begins as harsh, slashing synth growls into open space and a hi hat taps while thumping bass throbs. Kiffie’s chanting, plaintive voice echoes out as more hissing percussion comes in along with a high, distant sonic pulse. Darkly digital notes roam and now a cold minor key melody is carried by Kiffie’s echoing voice.

Gritty synth writhes and piano slowly spins out arpeggios. The vocals call out, full of well-expressed ache as the drums shape the music. Medium-low, sharp-edged synth descends in pained lines as piano arpeggios spin, full of tragedy as the chanting vocal goes on.

Delicate higher piano notes weave a pattern imbued with elegiac feeling. Kiffie’s voice is full of bleak emotion as clapping follows darkly descending, digital-sounding notes. Harsh synth slices and the track ends on hard-hitting, gruff synth pulses and weighty percussion.

Humanity has over consumed and damaged the planet beyond repair. The narrator points out that we are left with only one choice, a choice that we can see is true. We’ve filled our lives with “products that we were told we need to buy.” Even if we see the truth, we won’t apologize for the “damage that we create with wasteful lives.”

The storyteller points out that we have no way back so we need to escape and seek “new places that we can rehabitualise.” We have to start again and find new locations to try and colonize because “we have one choice left.”

Another “voice” comes into the song after the narrator asks who will stay behind. This second voice asks who we will leave behind. It takes a sinister turn as it tells us it isn’t our fault but a choice must be made and “you're not needed here.” This other voice makes it clear that the people needed most are “people who can afford to take the boat.”

Lonely, far away piano grows in strength, playing a melody both fragile and anguished to open "No Sacrifice.” Hard-edged, computerized synth shifts in a melodic pattern that feels as though it is adrift, Delicate, distant piano notes twinkle and gigantic, rough-edged bass descends as a distorted voice whispers in the background.

The bass is now joined by pounding drums and the empty vocals. Shadows rise and brighter synth drifts above Kiffie’s desolate voice. Glowing synth intertwines to create a beautiful contrast with the emptiness in the vocals as the drums form a guiding pulse. Sparkling notes shimmer as hollow drums push on. Huge synth looms above the pounding beat while wide, gleaming synth calls out.

The teller of this tale reminds his audience that "there is no sacrifice without a price.” He adds that no one told him that “you were already dead” and admits he didn’t realize it. He asks the other person not to “take my light.” He wants to be saved “from the spite” and continues “there’s no sacrifice.”

I left you there alone, I left you feeling numb, I know for me, I didn't really see. Don't take my light.

“Late To Leave” starts off as resonant kick drum and tapping snare drum are joined by wide-sounding, shimmering synth washing in arpeggiating notes. The arpeggios undulate as drums, bass and other percussion elements rush the track forward with urgency.

Now sharper synth spins downward, tracing spirals above the massive bass as the main melody roams out. I enjoy the glistening synth melody's melancholy above endlessly pulsating drums and bass. There’s a feeling of yearning as the textural synth spirals unwind and the battering drums and solid bass keep pressing on.

Oscillating, ominous bass throbs rapidly as Kiffie’s lonely, aching voice calls out to commence “Take Off.” The vocals effectively create a feeling cool isolation as a faraway, elevated synth calls out a haunted melody.

Distant-sounding synth entwines as martial snare drums echo into open space above the unrelenting bass pulse. Rounded, high synth drifts in a vulnerable melody as K’s voice chants out. Very far away synth trails off and then grows in prominence to glow as the snare drum drives the music into quiet.

We will find a way, We will try to heal, We will have to stay, If we only try to feel. Don't fly away, Don't leave this place, Don't fly away, You need this place. We can overcome, All our problems. And we can make it right, No is not the time to take flight. Don't board the ship, I'm begging you don't start the engine. Don't take off, It's not too late.

“Enough” kicks off as smooth, easily swirling synth drifts in deep lines and piano notes flash out. A ticking, metallic sound moves in the background. The piano notes create a superb tension in their brightness as massive bass growls along with hugely thudding drums.

Ethereal, flowing synth carries an enfolding melody full of yearning tenderness as full-sounding arpeggios move. Bass gruffly rumbles as organ-like notes ring out to add drama as the drums shape the music.

Hollow, pipe-like synth climbs in a gentle line while the organ has a majestic strength. The piano melody weaves a soothing filigree as open-voiced synth calls out above the steadily moving drumbeat and we fade on organ and the string-like arpeggios.

Stuttering, booming drums echo into open space as gleaming, broad synth carries a melodic pattern full of warning to start “Beyond the Blue.” Sharp bass slices through and Kiffie’s bereft voice echoes out as digital notes flash. Underneath it all, the beat jumps and stutters.

The vocal melody roams and hurts as rounded digital notes descend and hard-edged bass growls. There’s a affecting sense of emptiness in Kiffie’s voice as the drumbeat keeps guiding the music. Undulating bass wavers and descends as drums keep pacing the music. Kiffie’s reverberant, disembodied vocal moves above gigantic bass power.

High, digital-sounding notes sweep and big drums move out into the openness surrounding them. The drums and bass lacerate, battering ferociously into the music with a jagged power that drives the song to an end.

“Beyond the blue we can find other things to do” is how our narrator begins. He talks about how we can find better things to do than killing, hating and starving one another. He mentions finding alternatives to owning more than we need or living “our lives covered in greed.” Ultimately he points out that the space “beyond the blue” is big enough.

“Forever Together” starts off as piano arpeggios spin, tinged by something melancholy. Bass ripples outwards and drums softly touch the song. Sadness fills the arpeggios as the drums add more shape to the music and the gritty bass flows.

Worshipful, sparkling synth distantly carries a melodic line that contains hurting feeling. Kiffie’s plaintive voice carries the melancholy feeling that is pleasingly taken up by the piano and string section. Reverent female voices cry out into open air and Kiffie’s voice trembles with aching emotion.

Bass oscillates along with organ notes that add to the heartfelt expression in the lyrics. Tremulous strings glow above the bassline while the drums add form. Piano notes float out as the vocals express the emotion with the lyrics. Choral voices add extra gentleness before a dark bass wall rattles through along with elevated, lost sound fading away to quiet.

The storyteller talks about laying forever if they could remain together. He says that they wouldn’t need to hurry, care or worry because “love is in there” if they “say forever (and) pray together.”

Our narrator admits that he isn’t sure why or how they were connected but “it feels real” and he’s terrified as he wonders “Can we say forever? Can we stay together?”

Blunt drums thud and light pours from tender synth below K’s heartfelt, broken voice to open “No More.” Weighty drums rebound as warmer synth climbs and descends over grunting bass. The vocals cry out with intense emotion, in a way that engages me.

Choral voices ring out as gleaming, medium-high synth moves in blocks and the piano melody is full of delicacy. Choral sounds move gracefully while massive bass and throbbing drums shape the music. Kiffie’s voice captures all the sadness in the lyrics as silence falls.

The question that opens the song is if the other person really wants to know “how far we've come and how far left to go?” or what they’ve lost versus the love that was there. The narrator says that there is no more time, life or fights left for them to fight. He adds that there is no more rain, sun or “time to stop it coming undone.” He wonders if the other person cares if what they had is "forever doomed to be a distant thought?"

The storyteller asks the song’s subject if they’ll “open up and take a look” at the beauty which is now history to stop the tragedy. He says that the colours faded long and “this world now is like a dark shadow.” He wonders if the other person will “take a breath and listen up” to open their mind to possibilities.

“Better Than This” comes to life as soft shaker sounds brush and the piano adds a moving bassline. Soothing, woodwind-like synth carries a wistful melody as Pulse Lab’s deeply felt, touching vocal echoes into space. Thumping drums and active left hand piano shape the music. Soft-edged synth undulates smoothly below Pulse Lab’s touching, pain-filled voice and the drums drop out.

Woodwind synth cries out as the hurting vocals move. Kiffie sings along with Pulse Lab while smoothly dancing synth arpeggiates. A high synth sings out a melody that speaks of loss while drums press on along with active bass. A tragic, beautiful quality fills the synth melody as the song ends.

The narrator says that she’s not afraid of the future any more and her present is “wrapped in sorrow and regret.” The past lashes out at her too and she can’t ignore “the pain that does a perfect pirouette.”

Our storyteller says that the other person would “toss away” the darkness that lurks in her mind and she’d see better with “the joys of life still there to find.” She adds that those joys “barely matter” if they aren’t shared.

Now ‘adjusted smiles” let her get by with no questions asked acting as “pseudotherapy.” She doesn’t want to know what, how, who or why because it “wouldn’t do much justice to the memory.”

They have been “torn apart” and are now back together. There’s nothing better than their love and “Better than this life I’m plowing through, will be the life to taste with you."

Forceful bass buffets into the track, oscillating with great strength to open “Crossing the Void.” Kick drum throbs and Kiffie’s distant voice calls out as a pipe organ unfolds a powerful melody above surging bass. A snare drum establishes a guiding pulse as Kiffie’s voice expresses dedication.

The piano melody weaves a fine filigree and now the pipe organ’s gargantuan voice effectively fills the musical space. Dense bass oscillates, touched by tenuous piano. Choral sounds rise to support chanting vocals as the drums and bass drive on. Kiffie’s voice echoes out in the distance to end the song along with the pipe organ’s bright notes.

“I think it's time I stopped pretending” is how the narrator opens the song. He says that if he could see the other person, he’d tell them that “my love for you is never ending.” He says he’d travel vast distances and “light the stars, fall in black holes for you.”

Now the storyteller feels the time has come to tell the truth that he can’t “go on this journey without you.” He points out that if the other person could hear him, he’d tell them that he’d “risk the asteroids for you” and crash on a far off planet with them. He adds, “I would cross that frozen void for you.”

He thinks it is time for the other person to admit that they also feel the same. He concludes that he’d “cross the void and risk it all with you.”

“Accept This Love” starts with umbral bass supporting Kiffie’s emotive vocals, A slightly shadowed melody is carried by the vocals as ominous bass rumbles. Shining pipe organ notes wind in a minor key melody mingling with threatening bass. The vocals carry contrasting lyrics as seething bass moves below.

The organ melody has an underlying danger and the bass looms. As always, Kiffie imbues his voice with a vulnerable quality that I enjoy. The slow vocal melody unfolds with subtle menace. It is an interesting contrast with the lyrics as the organ rumbles with portentous power and the drums shape the music.

Our storyteller promises that if the other person accepts his love, he will heal their pain, be there for them and there for good. He adds “you can take me at my word” that he will take the blame. He will promise to “protect you from the storm.”

Conclusion

Interplanetary Exodus is an album that combines intensely human emotions with powerful vocals, thoughtful lyrics and synth layers that unfold to weave a tapestry both touching and heartfelt.

Underpond - Between Lost and Hope

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Underpond’s Between Lost and Hope has a melancholy beauty that is emphasized by the AI generated singers and their mixture of their mixture of synthetic sound and human emotion:. In my mind, it generates images of lonely androids calling out into outer space.

A feeling of mournful loss permeates the music on Between Lost and Hope. It is touched by tentative hope and dreamy drifting emotion that lends all of the songs a deeply affecting quality. I am drawn to the pained expression that fills many of the melodies that unfold on the album.

At first, I wasn’t sure what to make of the use of AI vocalists on the album, but I’ve come to find the idea intriguing. There’s a mixture of synthetic sound and human feeling in the algorithm generated voices that captures the often pained emotional content in the lyrics. I am intrigued by what the mixture of digital generation and human feelings says about that balance in our daily lives.

Layering and intertwining synth sounds with gargantuan bass and powerful drums creates intense auditory imagery on Between Lost and Hope. There are light, feathery sounds mixed with warm, rounded synths along with synths that capture intensely hurting emotion. I enjoy the propulsive weight and energy of the percussion and bass as it contrasts with the ache of the higher synth sounds.

My Favourite Songs Reviewed

“Free Falling” begins as gossamer synth flows out and a breezy sound sweeps.Solid bass pulsates as warm piano-like chords ring out. The AI vocalist has a robotic quality that still exudes emotion. I am intrigued by the idea of a synthetic vocalist still sounding expressive. Medium-high synth trembles in broad, glowing lines and bass throbs.

Snare drum and kick drum move in a steadying pulse as celestial synth glides. The resonant, non-human voice feels strangely engaging as it sings. The vocal melody has a soothes above low bass and a shaping drumbeat. The song ends on a lonely synth sweep and open-sounding synth.

The narrator speaks of running far away, “anywhere from nowhere.” She says they ought to “fall away, straight away” and catch air to fly away as they are “free falling.”

A gritty, medium-low synth supports elevated, crystalline chimes that sparkle slowly into space to open “Lost.” Rounded, gentle synth flows around the AI vocalist’s pained feeling sound as massive bass undulates and drums splash across the track. There’s a surging motion to the bass and ticking drums.

Pleasingly tragic fragility fills the vocal melody as a bright, medium-high synth pulse matches the undulating bass. Gruff guitar growls, carrying a melody combining loss and yearning anticipation.

Rippling, string-like synth spins out slow arpeggios while the drums and bass urge the song onward. The guitar swirls in sharp lines that are full of tentative hope and we end on glittering chimes,

The storyteller talks about being lost with a blinded heart as she keeps on finding, asking “where are you hiding?” and wondering if she’ll find them. She says that everything is alright and contrasts that by saying nothing is okay.

Our narrator goes on to state that “every single day is rewind and delay” whether they are bright or “all the rainy Sundays.” She talks about the “slowly fading lights around my mellow grays” because she’s lost.

“White Noise” commences as rapidly oscillating, elevated synth cascades. A whispered male voice repeats the words “white noise” as hard-edged bass growls. Raised, shimmering synth levitates above the rebounding, flying drumbeat. AI vocals carry a melody combining dynamism and mournful emotion as wandering, spinning synth twists through the song.

Wispy, aching vocals drift to effectively express the lyrics.The song glides a segment in which starry synth carries a tentative, lost-feeling melody before drums and bass return to propel the song onward. The breathy hurt in the AI vocals creates emotion as rapidly twirling, raised synth notes dance over the throbbing weight underneath. The song ends on cosmic floating.

“White noise” is what the narrator hears as she talks about living at the moment with “systems down.” As noise is discovered, there’s “vivid sound.” In the midst of the white noise, there’s a dark voice as the storyteller talks about making a “bad choice again.”

Piano-like notes chime with brittle light as reverent, misty sounds swirl to start “The Lonely Rebel.” A robotic voice whispers that “there is a giant space inside your shell, it is the hiding place for the lonely rebel.” Sharp-edged, slowly revolving synth spins over swelling bass. Stuttering snare drum bursts as cutting arpeggios spin and solid bass grows.

Gleaming, wide-sounding lead synth carries an ear-pleasing melody mingling triumph and loneliness as sharper arpeggios unwind. Below the arpeggios, heavy bass shivers. Rounded, digital sounding notes reverberate into space, delicately touching as the brittle piano echoes.

Arpeggiating, medium-high synth slices clearly as digital sounding, tentative notes repeat a melancholy pattern. The shining melody sings out in sadness-tinged lines while clean arpeggios whirl as drums shape the music and huge bass rises. The song ends on trailing, digital notes and tremulous piano.

“Sound of Sun” opens as towering bass is joined by a steadily flowing, worshipful sound. Nasal-sounding, medium high arpeggios undulate and the AI vocalist’s caressing voice carries a wonderfully tender, wistful melody. Trumpeting synth echoes and drums shape the music, popping into a steady beat.

Full-sounding, brassy synth echoes out in quickly fading notes while bass throbs below. The vocals trail slowly, full of ache and dreaming feeling as smooth drums add form above massive bass. Glimmering synth notes slip along, unmoored and lightly touching before drums snap in to propel the song.

Broad, rising synth adds a majestic quality to the song. Raised, slightly diffused synth carries the lonely, hopeful melody while the underlying low end drives the music. The hurting AI vocals call out and the song concludes with spaced out sound.

Sound fills the “long night” as the storyteller talks about the last hours of sun. The stars are “shining like sound” after “glowing flowers of sun.” The sun’s sound will go on “now and ever” and the narrator is feeling better.

Breathy wordless vocals flow out into open space as angular, glistening synth repeats in a cascading pattern to begin “Hope” as piano chords slowly expand. Wind sweeps as the warm, gentle AI vocals enjoyably enfold my ears and the diaphanous background flows.

Lambent synth motes slowly flare and fade as the piano notes grow. The AI singer combines synthetic and human characteristics as shining synth flickers. Bass creaks and computerized sounds pulse to add form.

The vocal melody mixes tragedy with more encouraging emotions as the steady drums and solid bass create forward motion. Glittering sounds rise and fade just as rapidly. The vocals are full of distance as the fluttering, sharply angled notes ripple to finish the song.

Our narrator addresses the song’s subject, asking them to breathe her in along with the “hazy night” and for the last time “hold tight.” She talks of hope as they get ready for a “sunset drive”with lights rushing past them. She speaks of how “hand in hand I hold you so tight” as they are bonded by neon lights. As the song concludes she talks about breathing in the other person and hoping on them as well.

“Sweet Kelly” comes alive as waves wash with calming motion and undulating, muffled synth slides along. Medium-high, sparkling synth carries a softly tranquil melody that contrasts well with a sharper guitar pattern. Colossal bass swells as the drums shape the music. Calming AI vocals sound like a gentle android talking about how “Sweet Kelly” is “my sun, smiling and fun” whether they relax or run “we are one.”

Higher synth bends and caresses as the dynamic, gleaming and round-sounding synth carries a dynamic melody that still feels vulnerable above the skipping drums and luscious bass while our AI vocalist carries a breathy melody while brighter synth shines with settling light and underneath the drums and bass keep on moving.

The lead melody combines energy and more pained emotions as the “singer” adds an element of cosmic drift to it as the guitar keeps vibrating wile the drums snap and tap and the bass powerfully buoys up the other elements as we fade on waves.

Conclusion

Between Lost and Hope creates deeply human emotional responses through synthetic elements. It is full of intense feeling woven from digitalization. The concept of using synthesis to make us feel speaks to the increasing integration of human beings and technology. I enjoy how this album engaged me and provoked thought.

Jessi Frey - Warrior

REVIEW BY KIZUNAUT

While the synth scene may perhaps know her best for her solo debut album Villainess, Jessi Frey first rose to prominence as the front woman of the Finnish industrial metal band Velcra. With Velcra Jessi would demonstrate her range both as a vocalist and as a songwriter, effortlessly moving between singing and screaming, pounding industrial metal and soft melodies. Using this formula, Velcra found great success in Finland, got the prized Emma award nomination for best newcomer and toured Europe. The band came to an end in 2008, leaving behind a fanbase that endures to this day, and for a good reason. 

I can’t claim to be some kind of a Velcra OG fan, but their biggest hit My Law was part of the sonic tapestry of my teens, receiving enough airplay and screen time to leave a trace in my memories. I really discovered the band properly much later on in my 20s and heavily regretted spending my teens as an embarrassing trad metal larper when it came to music and not actually going out there and discovering what was happening at the time. 

The band’s nu metal-influenced, energetic yet still melodic industrial metal that had Jessi both singing and doing a kind of scream-rap that feels ahead of its time is more than compelling and remains quite unique. My favorite from the band’s discography is 2007s Hadal that saw the band use much more prominent electronic elements than before. I have sometimes described it to people as being Finland’s equivalent of NIN’s The Fragile, a genre-transcending masterpiece that was ahead of its time. Someone could release it today and it would still sound fresh. 

I don’t think it’s good to obsess over the past of artists’ who have gone solo after having spent time in a band, but I think the brief history lesson has been important for context, as with Warrior Jessi Frey turns heavily towards Velcra’s style. The dark synthpop sensibilities of her solo debut album Villainess are still there, but they are joined by pounding beats, heavy guitars and songwriting choices that remind me strongly of her old band. The end result is very reminiscent of 90s industrial music, but re-amped for today. 

While the style of the album might lean towards a style inspired by the past, the production side of things is modern, clear and powerful. The drums are snappy, the guitars have both great crunch and clarity, the synths are pristine and Jessi’s vocals sit at the center of attention without overwhelming the instrumentals. She demonstrates a rather broad range on the album, from whispering to screaming, though mostly staying in the clean range, pushing for a grittier tone when the songs need an extra push of urgency or energy. Overall, the album is sleek and powerful, but I feel that some of the tracks could have used a bit punchier kick drum for extra oomph. This is a minor quibble in the grand scheme of things. 

Thematically, the album seems to coalesce around the titular idea of being a Warrior of some sort. The mood of the album can be best described as dark but defiant, the instruments casting moody, downbeat and occasionally mysterious tones while the lyrics offer a more hopeful note. It’s a style that works really well. 

The idea of a “Warrior” takes many forms on this album. There are a lot of songs about survivorship, overcoming difficulties and facing an uncertain future. For example, Future Hackers deals with overcoming anxiety about the present day state of matters, the mixture of pounding riffs, driving percussion, futuristic arps and dramatic choirs offering an explosive backing track for Jessi’s vocals. Antifragile starts with the premise of seeing your dreams shattered and moves to a crescendo of coming back stronger from past failures. Choppy rhythms and staccato synths dominate the verses, while the choruses are backed by a sweeping riff. The ending sees the track build into a crushing wall of noise while Jessi repeats “I can take it” over and over again, going from whispers to screaming and offering the most powerful and memorable moment of the album. 

There are also more literal interpretations of the idea of being a warrior. We Don’t Need Another Hero is a cover of Tina Turner’s classic hit that she made for the Mad Max: Beyond the Thunderdome soundtrack. Jessi Frey’s version is decidedly less pop, going for a dramatic, somber-yet-hopeful, synth-orchestral take. Bloodsport offers a parade of curious characters who go to proverbial battle on the dancefloor. Jessi loans MC Raaka Pee of the Finnish industrial/party/jäger bomb metal band Turmion Kätilöt to deliver extra vocals. The themes and style on offer are definitely more on the Turmion Kätilö side, in other words, a fun industrial-tinted banger.  

For me, the album’s divergent ways of dealing with its central theme are however its biggest weakness. I like both We Don’t Need Another Hero and Bloodsport as individual songs, but they feel kind of out of place sandwiched between tracks that deal with really big, important and relevant topics in a way that feels very sincere and from the heart. I can understand their inclusion, and perhaps someone else might see them very differently from me. They do bring some variety and lightness to the album’s otherwise rather heavy themes.

Nevertheless, even with the thematic whiplash I get, this is an album that I enjoy greatly and it has been among my most listened to albums of the year. It’s one thing to make cool industrial rock bangers and nicely moody 90s industrial throwbacks, it’s another thing to do it with such talent and willingness to tackle difficult themes as she has demonstrated here. Warrior may be for me an album of valleys and peaks, but the peaks that are there are incredibly high, and the valleys aren’t even that low, simply more akin to stumbling upon something out of place on your journeys. 

I’m hardly writing this review with fresh ears, and the most-listened tracks from this album have acquired a kind of patina, or perhaps a moss layer, of lived emotions. The album-opening Future Hackers and the extremely powerful Antifragile have been on extremely heavy rotation for me ever since they came out. And indeed, those tracks in particular have helped me to live through some very tough times. More than being just a really good album that faithfully conjures vibes from 90s industrial music, the album is extremely meaningful to me. And there is a gap between good music and meaningful music that only a rare few bridge. Warrior manages to crystallize a certain “peak COVID” energy that I surely am not the only one to have lived through. Nothing else out there really captures the vibe of suddenly being shut off from the world, forced to rely on social media while watching your social networks wither and languish. And despite all of this, you somehow survive, find reasons to go on. It’s music for facing titanic challenges and coming back alive. This is the kind of music the world desperately needs. 

I had the opportunity to see Jessi Frey live recently during the Helsinki Industrial Festival pre-party. It was an extremely powerful experience, not only because she and her band kicked ass on stage. It was unusual to see so many people in Velcra shirts, the band still being dearly missed by some. I don’t know how Jessi Frey feels about people being nostalgic for her old band, but for me, it’s just a demonstration that great music and great musicians have no expiration date. I may have missed Velcra, the media phenomenon in my youth, but I got to hear some of the most impactful music I have experienced in recent history live. And let me tell you, it was amazing. We can’t go into the past, but we can take the best from it and build something new, something that resonates even more strongly than the past events and ideas we tend to be so nostalgic and fond off.

I don’t expect everyone to feel about this album the way I do, but I do recommend it without reservations to basically anyone and especially to people who like the 90s industrial style. I would also like to recommend Velcra’s last album Hadal, which I think is their best, and absolutely criminally underappreciated and very poorly known even in the industrial rock connoisseur circles. 

Null-O Band: Combat Droid Lullabies

Review by Karl Magi

Overall Album Impressions

Null-O Band’s Combat Droid Lullabies creates an ominous, pained technological atmosphere that is full of darkness shot through with moments of tragedy and flickers of hope. Performed guitars, drums, bass and human voices mix with synths and robotic vocals to create a balance between technology and humanity.

Null-O Band’s mixing of synth sounds with performed instruments adds extra depth to Combat Droid Lullabies. The well-executed guitar solos, strong drum work and underpinning bass guitar give the music a living, breathing feeling. In contrast, the synths and computerized voices evoke a shadowy, tech-dominated future. The end result is deeply compelling music.

All of the guest performances on Combat Droid Lullabies add to the album's quality. The guests contribute their vocals to the music and each artist’s contribution gives the songs variety and expression. There’s more depth and breadth to the album as every performer brings their unique sensibility. I enjoy the strength of this collaborative effort.

Atmosphere drenches this music as it unfolds. The digitized sounds and robotic voices add cold, impersonal emotions while heavy-hitting drums and dense bass bring shadows into the tracks. Delicate, hurting synth melodies add to the palpable tragedy in the music while moments of warmth touch the darkness with hope.

My Favourite Tracks Analyzed

"Human Memory Residue” comes to life as massive drums smack into the track, skittering and driving as solid electric bass vibrates and computerized arpeggios arc. Medium-high, soft-edged synth sings a pleasing melody that’s both delicate and energetic, touched by pained emotion.

Glimmering arpeggios leap and flashing digital sounds move, supported by solid bass and rebounding drums. Powerful, ancient sounding female vocals and a guiding radio voice move over tapping percussion and strong bass. The female voice has resonant power and depth as hollow tapping sounds echo out.

The main synth melody sings with a warm, tragic feeling as the drums stutter and electric bass rumbles as a steady vibration flows. Arpeggios whirl through along wth the radio transmission from space. The track ends on the timeless,  intense female vocals

Tumbling taut synth is joined by a robotic voice and heavily throbbing drums to open “Stay On Target.” An expanding, broad synth pattern falls through the song as the robotic voice chants the lyrics. The drumbeat accelerates as crunchy bass and flanging synths fly out in arpeggiating lines.

The synth that retorts with thunderous power creates a sense of energy in the music.  Squelching synth wobbles as drums batter while the robotic voice is interspersed with a woman commanding the drone to“stay on target.”

Wide, angular synth rips in bending notes above the guttural power below it. Dark, low synth rises in towering notes as the robotic voice chants over the huge bass and pounding drums.  The commanding woman’s voice ends the track with bubbling notes and a digital shut down sound.

Our robot narrator speaks of how it is programmed to fight and exists in a great “game.” It seeks and destroys, over and over. Now the narrator's engines are failing and the mission “different, not part of the game.” The song ends as it is “going down in flames.”

“Electra, My Love” starts as active bass and staggeringly powerful drums throb. Medium-high, twisting synths swirl and an organ carries shadowy, rising notes. Drums and bass propel the music as Retrograth’s dramatic, expressive voice is supported by thundering guitar.

Elevated, mournful synth floats out and a robotic voice chants the chorus. The guitar sings a melody enjoyably brimming with power and intense emotion as it twists through the music. The main melody is interspersed with aching synth as threatening organ chords add weight.

The guitar’s sharp teeth cut in above the dominant drumbeat and heavy bass. Retrograth’s deep voice is full of intense feeling as lonely synth echoes out above the hard-hitting tide. The guitar winds through the music in a gliding, cascading solo that carries strong emotion.

The storyteller says that the war’s ended and he’s got no one left to fight. He says “my circuits are melting, I’ll dissolve in your light.” He speaks to his love named Electra and says that although there’s no “energy left in my nuclear heart” they can’t be kept separated by time and distance.

Wavering, bending chimes shimmy above bass welling up below in active motion to kick off "Syndicate Cargo Part 1.” The chimes are joined by Flamingo Jones’ half-spoken vocals and drums that create propulsion.

The vocals are doubled by nasal-sounding, twisting chimes that bounce as drums and bass shape the music. Intricate, ethereal guitar tumbles in a cascading solo as the chanted vocals repeat above the strong drumbeat and moving bassline.

I enjoy the way in which the strange tale told by the lyrics is matched by the quirky oddity of the music around it. Thee’s an even pulse to the beat as the twinkling, bending high notes wriggle out the odd melody above huge bass and shaping drums.

The teller of this tale speaks of an insane navigator and failing hyperdrives. The navigator is “reciting cryptic poems to a demented mainframe.” Warning lights fill the displays and their oxygen is low. The narrator says “you better look away.”

They’re carrying “syndicate cargo” and something is vey wrong. The sensors are excited, there’s high radiation and “strange motion is detected.” Our weary storyteller says it’ll be a long flight and now “something strange is happening at the loading bay.”

“Postcard From Helsinki” starts as weighty drums pound below hollow, medium high synth unfolding in a mysterious melody. Digital sparks flit through the music and steady, brushing percussive noise moves.

Snare drum charges ahead to add propulsion while crunching, twisting synth swirls. Higher, smoother synth carries a melody beautifully mingling ancient sound, noble power and a feeling of drifting. The drums explode and a woman's ethereal voice roams, creating a reverent sensation above the thick, rich bass and muscled drums.

The crunching synth pulse adds a unique quality while string like synths provide a swirling background. Now chanting voices flow out above digitized sounds as the drums lighten. There’s a timeless feeling in the female voices as they flow and fade.

Actively charging drums move with angular, nasal-sounding synth to start “Orgy Of Zero.” The synth lends a spaced out quality as it falls and tumbles in rapid motion. Melodywhore’s chanted phrase “Come follow me, baby…” moves in with madly oscillating synth above a knotted, battering drumbeat and steadily pulsing bass.

High sound echoes in twisted motion, entangling as sweeping sounds rise through the music.  A robotic voice chants “I want you now” in hungry need as hollow synth revolves in ever moving lines.

Above it, there’s an effective feeling of loss in the nasal synth.The track moves a segment in which a flaring, writhing synth is guided by dense drums and colliding bass. The track ends on whirling, trembling raised synth before silence falls.

“Asteroid Rider” begins as rushing synth oscillates and a kick drum throbs. Gently ethereal lead synth carries a noble melody as female vocals swirl and glittering synth notes float out. The robotic voice effectively adds a dark, digital quality to the music as wobbling synth trembles in wandering lines. Drums leap in as the uplifting lead synth calls out along with the warmly powerful female vocals.

The robotic voice speaks of taking the only way to find help. Trickling, twisting synth wriggles through the soaring lead melody above propulsive drums. Women’s wordless voices carry an enfolding, worshipful melody as glowing, elevated synth flows into silence.

Drums pop and leap while the funky bassline jumps around them to kick off “12 Funky Droid Monkeys.” The lead guitar cries out in an enjoyable blues-infected melody that has passion pouring from the strings as the funky bass and gnarly drums groove underneath.

After digital sparkles fly, horns shout out with jazzy energy while the guitar howls and dances in an impassioned line. The groovy bassline keeps the track moving and the drums have a strong shaping influence. Computerized sounds lead the song to an end.

“Nice To Be In Orbit” starts off as an energizing drumbeat stutters and skips. A swaying bassline and rippling, elevated arpeggios are touched by technological noise. Steadily vibrating sound is now joined by lush, oboe-like synth beautifully carrying a wistful, tender melody. Arpeggios undulate and fat bass roams while the drums keep skipping along.

Now a woman’s voice trembles with magical power and a radio transmission speaks of it being nice to be in orbit.  Haunted women’s voices flow as the smoothly popping drumbeat shapes the caressing melody as the bass adds more form. Arpeggios sweep past again and steadily trembling, high sound vibrates. The track ends on timeless chanting and the radio transmission before silence falls.

A plethora of beeps, grinding tech noises and softly tapping drums open “The Little Things.” Low, dark synth adds weight below Lesley Wood’s clear, flat voice that evokes something robotic. The piano melody has a tragic ache below Lesley Wood’s clear delivery that drives home the words.

Strings powerfully radiate helpless agony along with the hurting piano as brushing drums hiss. There’s a broken pain within the piano and strings that deepens the mournful quality of the track.

Metallic arpeggios twirl and the narration becomes soothing and guiding, despite the flat delivery. Shivering resonance fills the strings as drums splash and scatter. The tragic piano melody brings the track to an end.    

Our narrator speaks of her inability to sleep as she thinks of the “terrors, mass murders, suffering and greed.” Everything feels hopeless and unable to act. She adds that “I see no point to it. I don't understand.” She feels that it might be depression but wonders if it isn’t just “the world now.”

The storyteller speaks of “the fat cats raking it in” while people starve and bears “standing in locked cages, begging for food.” These are her nightmares. She prays but it does nothing so she listens and hears the message to “focus on the little things.”

She talks about holding still and holding on to focus on one’s “immediate surroundings” and doing little tasks like making the bed, eating and resting well. Above all, she repeats “breathe, breathe.” Our narrator speaks of staying focused and present in the moment, without worrying about past, future, countries or cities.

In conclusion, our storyteller remembers that “there are things to help, things to fix, right in front.”

Conclusion

Combat Droid Lullabies is a journey through the perils, pitfalls and danger of a technological future that is also tinged with deeply human emotions. The mixture of live and synthesized instruments with strong vocal performances only deepens the impact of the music.