music reviews

::: Testube ::: "bioplaza"

electro-industrial

Here's the new release by TESTUBE, hot on the heels of the wonderful "Post Apocalypse" album, which is one of my favourite collections of music in recent times. While there remains the characteristic Testube sound, there certainly is an evolution here. In contrast to past TESTUBE material most tracks here have vocals or obscure dialogue snippets and the music is several degrees darker.

I'd call this electro-darkwave with schizoid-robotic beats. It also features more jagged electro-industrial rhythmic structures and ethereal gothic keyboard melodies. Also, lots of bubbley synth-basses, spluttering electro-harpsichord phrases and spacey sound effects. The vocals are mostly fairly subdued, husky and effected with flangers, distortion, delays and other gadgets. Personally, I prefer the clean naked vocals on past Testube tracks like "Vertigo Grim" but this vocal approach certainly is done well and has it's place and audience. Fans of Skinny Puppy, Noxious Emotion and those into a cross of gothic-medieval melodies and dreamy electronic-body-music will adore this. Take note, I find Testube releases take several listens before they hook me. 11 tracks over 64 minutes.

Available for $12 US from PO Box 554 Englewood CO 80151 USA or from DSBP Records http://www.dsbp.cx Web: www.bioplaza.com E-mail: [email protected]