FIRST AID 4 SOULS (feat. Vain Sacrosanct) - Stainless Steel Eyes (Alfa Matrix)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    9 april 2021

Besides working together with Mortum on the next FIRST AID 4 SOULS harsh industrial album, Hungarian artist István Gazdag also enjoys experimenting with other artists and expanding his sonic spectrum through fruitful collaborations.


With Stainless Steel Eyes, he reveals another quite successful collaboration with Vain Sacrosanct, lead vocalist of Belgium’s cold electro act CAUSENATION. When both men met for the first time at a festival in Belgium where they both performed live, the click between both artists was instant and so natural that the release of an album together was nothing but a matter of time…

On this 12-track album, the duo celebrate without any limit their passion for vintage synths and the good old electro industrial sound from the 80’s in general, and you won’t be surprised hearing a mixture of eclectic influences going from Belgian cold EBM sounds to Canadian intricate industrial and a touch of coldwave to top it all… So if you are fan of legends in the likes of CABARET VOLTAIRE, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, NEW ORDER, FAD GADGET or yet VOMITO NEGRO, this new album comes highly recommended.

Stainless Steel Eyes has a very modern sound mixed with a slice of some retro EBM touches and a high tempo. I reviewed Vain Sacrosant’s album not so long ago and I must say that his voice sounds better here. I can already conclude that this one sounds like a good match! Skin sounds a bit darker and slower. The roaring beats are kept soft and gentle whilst a slice of techno/electro keeps it interesting. Halfway the song it get’s a bit louder and harder (and that is a good thing). Who’s Gonna Walk The Line starts slowly, but builds up. It has a certain Gary Numan touch (early years). Legend goes further down the same road and adds some spaceship sounds to it whilst the machine’s sounds like a marching order. The Meat sounds a bit harsher, more into filling the dancefloor. There is just a weird crack in the voice. The breakdown halfway was a bit strange too as it sounds like an accident rather then something done on voluntary base. I like the catchy chorus! Broken Promise goes back to the more modern touch, but mixes it with a computer voice in the start after which Vain adds his cold vocals. Rise And Fall starts with a bass that reminds me a bit of Hooverphonic, just as the slow tempo and the whole sound. The only thing that makes it different are Vain’s vocals. I like the melancholic touch in it. This might be the last track of a regular set. Falling Star goes back to the dancefloor whilst we also hear some retro EBM slices mixed with some modern tunes. Lockdown is something we all know what it’s about. When the song reaches us all it’s still not done. Still hoping there will be something after this all! B.R.O. has a guitar in it and goes really hard and is very much into filling the dancefloor! I like the high tempo and the global sound. This one might become a hit! It’s also cool to hear 2 different voices on it. Media has good beats and poignant lyrics. I like the tempo and the mix between a modern sound and retro touches. I’m wandering who’s the voice we hear debating about the actuality? The computer voice is also a good thing as it matches with the music. At some point I even have a Joy Division feeling (but then Joy Division goes electro). It’s yet another great track! The last song is not the happiest: The War Is Coming. It’s clear that dark times are coming. Enjoy the guitar lines in this one!

I enjoyed it, more than Vain’s solo album. It’s clear that 1+1 = 3 in this case! I hope to see them together on stage!

Stainless Steel Eyes (feat. Vain Sacrosanct) | FIRST AID 4 SOULS | Alfa Matrix (bandcamp.com)