Partikul is a band from Brussels and only got started up in 2019. A duo works it all out together. Aly: synths, vocals & drum machine & Stef : guitar & vocals. They get their inspiration whilst listening to old school electro bands from Belgium like Front 242 and Vomito Negro!
Genocide builds up slowly and has a clear Science-Fiction feel. It’s as if The Klingons or The Borgs are ready to attack/assimilate us. The spooky bass and scary synths make it all very dark and horrified. The music is a mix of gothic and dark wave. Stef does the lead vocals, whilst Aly does the backings. Towards the end there is also an industrial-minded influence.
Straight White Line gets lead vocals done by Aly whilst Stef does his part halfway. I like the way it all gets build up. To me it’s clear they found their own path and made a huge step forward! This one is clearly single material (or at least get it on a compilation)! The electronic drums and the shredding guitar sound are in symbiose and elevate the song to a higher level! I also adore the way Aly’s voice sounds here (retro 80’s). This is the second song and it’s already a wow momentum!
Take Your Hands Off Me starts with a bluesy guitar quickly followed by an 80’s synth/electronic drum sound and Aly’s vocals who come close to Siouxsie. Stef also jumps in with his vocals, giving the song a new twist. The retro sound is really cool and I’m sure it will great to hear it on stage!
Insect starts with a nice guitar and pumping beats followed by Aly who once again shows off her vocal capacities! I like the tempo and the general sound!
Into Such A Lie starts a bit like Closer (Nine Inch Nails) but gets vocals from Stef (like sung from the grave, with a deep bass).
Stay is a cold duet with pumping beats and a guitar that goes on and off.
Sex Me is a hot track with lead vocals brought by Aly. This is going to be one of the highlights of their upcoming live show, for sure! The global sound is a mix of Electro with modern EBM.
Nothing Good In Me starts with an 80’s New Wave retro sound with Stef (and his deep bass sound) on lead vocals. The guitar sound reminds me a bit of the early Red Zebra (Geert Maertens on Innocent People/TV Activity).
Fascist Sons starts directly with pumping beats and a clear Electro/EBM sound whilst the bluesy guitar adds an extra dimension to the song. Aly screams and sings like the young Siouxsie version of herself. It’s a new highlight on this LP! Again single material and a must drop on a compilation track! A new wow momentum!
X.T.C. is already the last song and dives again into the world of electronics with a space driven sound. The song gets lifted by a bass sound whilst the vocals are like reading out loud the lyrics. I miss a bit more fireworks here and a bit of sparkles, but hey I got served well with the previous songs!
One thing is sure: they made a huge step forward with this new album! They got their own sound, worked out their possibilities and elevate each other capacities to a higher level! I thing Europe is ready for this lovely couple! Open the gates and let them play all over Europe, open your heart for this duo from Brussels (Belgium)!
Interview from the first album:
SNOOZECONTROL - Partikul: about the past present and future!
Click here for album review (in English)
