Alexandria “Alyxx” Digre (she/her), aka Technomancer, released her debut album SYSTEM FAILURE in 2013 and now, almost 10 years later, the second album HYPERFUEL is finally being released!
Originally from the Northern town of Mo I Rana, Norway, Alyxx moved to Sarpsborg in 2014 and had already started working on the album at that point. Realizing that the next album had to be of much higher quality than the debut album, Alyxx started working on honing her production skills, getting plenty of practice on her side projects Zone Tripper and Laboratory 5, as well as doing numerous remixes for bands/artists such as Die Krupps, Nitzer Ebb, Anne Clark, Naked Lunch, Attrition, Robert Marlow (RIP) and several others.
After SYSTEM FAILURE, a departure from the former sound was set almost immediately. The sleek futurepop style was cast aside in favour of a heavier influence from the 80’s, with The Sisters Of Mercy providing a strong influence on the new sound. Together with Zone Tripper, Technomancer adopted very much an early synthwave sound which since then has become a signature sound for Alyxx’ productions as a whole. The new album relies heavily on sampled guitars and drum machines to give a much heavier retrowave feeling, which should please fans of synthwave acts such as Dance With The Dead and Scandroid.
The album has been co-produced by Stephan L. Groth (Apoptygma Berzerk) and his brother Jonas Groth (Piston Damp, Apoptygma Berzerk) who both have also provided guest vocals on the album. Frequent collaborator Per Aksel Lundgreen (Angst Pop, Cronos Titan, Chinese Detectives, Shatoo) has also been involved.
Ole-Espen Kristiansen (OK Minus, Elec This!) has mastered the album and also mixed a couple tracks. Ole-Espen has also done mastering and live mixing for Apoptygma Berzerk and Piston Damp, and we couldn’t be happier with the result!
The album is available digitally worldwide since November 4th 2022, with a Deluxe Edition also available on 2xCD via Sector Industrial (www.sector-industrial.com) and digitally exclusive via the Technomancer Bandcamp, which includes 5 additional tracks and remixes by Machinista, Echo Image, Piston Damp, Substaat and Christian Espeland of Code 64. Release date for the Deluxe Edition will be revealed later.
The Cold (Intro) starts slowly and gets also slowly build up with more and more instruments jumping in and even getting a whispering voice. The sound reminds me a bit of the modern version of the music we all remember from the Tron movie. Just listen to the typical 80’s drum (a typical sound for Technomancer). I also hear a sliding guitar: giving it a special touch.
Wind has a good tempo, a melodic sound and a catchy chorus. I hear some Apoptygma Berzerk influences, but that’s almost normal as mister Groth also worked on this album! I hear enough potential to launch it as a single! It might be me getting delusional, but I think the guitar play is something new. But to answer that question: it wasn’t on the first album and came in with the newer singles. I call it a great evolution!
I Want You sounds really great and powerful. I also adore the backings (rendering the catchy feel). The song feels like the 80’s revamped with 2022 gear! This song might be great to perform on stage and in front of camera’s for a TV show and why not get a clip out of it! My fantasy is already working too much and I’m only 3 songs far!
Puppets by Technomancer & Angst Pop feat. Stephan L. Groth is the best song so far and has already been launched as a single and I totally understand why: it has everything to score a hit! Catchy 80’s sound, good vocals and a perfect chorus, mixing the 3 different vocals like a real master and catching the right vibe!
Empire mixes ‘80s drums with a modern guitar sound, a good tempo and a very melodic sound.
If Only You Could Hear Me (Singing Our Song Tonight extend version) can be classified as an electronic ballad with an 80’s touch. I get a very romantic feeling listening to this song, but it might also be like thinking about a father or a mother who died to early and could never hear this song and thus sending this song into the sky and hoping heaven exists and your beloved one(s) can hear it!
Without You goes on with the romantic/remembering people who died too early-feeling. Once again the up-tempo works well and the global sound is very melodic, catchy and a bit fired up. This one comes close to Europop! Once on stage a feel like it will a clap your hands moment and reach out with your arms!
Ecstasy (feat. Jonas Groth) is again perfect single material that mixes 2 different voices and looks back at the 80’s with a modern touch. The song has a nice mid-tempo with catchy moments. Be ready to sing-a-long! I adore the positive feeling you get whilst listening to the song!
The Outsider sounds like the slowest song (next to the ballad) on this album. Hence I can also hear a cool bass! The more you listen to it the better it sounds! At some point I hear a tiny bit of a Sisters Of Mercy/Fields of Nephilim Influence.
The Night is some kind of ballad with distorted backings and a sweet tone. Towards the end the song gets filled with pathos in a wonderful way!
Faith is not a The Cure cover but a real 80’s anthem with all the acquisitions from back then! I also hear clearly a romantic touch!
Lovecrime is the last song and fuels up for the last time. I also hear a female voice doing some backings. It’s a cool song to end with! This song would also be a great end song with a clap your hands momentum when the drum hit as only one! Feel the love, touch the love! The end is really like: WOW! Listen to the album and hear for yourself!
I heard some changes (guitar play, more extra vocals …) and do like them very much! The album sounds very mature and has overall a really great sound! A lot of tracks have the potential to make it outside of this album and end on playlists of DJ’s and radio’s. I hope Technomancer also gets a chance to perform in front of TV camera’s and grab the recognition needed to reach out to a wider audience as this would be totally deserved! The whole team did a marvelous job! Congratz to all!
Read our interview here:
Album review Zone Tripper:
SNOOZECONTROL - Zone Tripper – The Call (Sub Culture Records)
