It’s a bit hard reviewing a remixes album when you don’t know the original and the original band is also not as known as Front 242 (to drop just one name). I decided to review it from the point of view that these are all new songs.
Dark Minimal Project is a French (Lille) Electro Synthwave duo, signed under the German label Infacted Recordings managed by Torben Schmidt.
Their first album of 2022 (Cold Black Room) was followed by 22 concerts. The second album Ghost of Modern Times was released in 2023 and we are starting the "Modern Times Tour" with already 30 dates (Paris, Brussels, Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Hanover...).
Their music is a mix of Depeche Mode - Boy Harsher - Fad Gadget - Rue Oberkampf... and they have already been remixed by Dominatrix, Ruined Conflicts... the Everything, co-produced by none else but Peter Rainman (People Theatre). The pictures and sleeve are nice creations done by Erik Jarrigeon.
Black Light (People Theatre Remix) has a catchy chorus, sounds a bit retro synth pop (genre Depeche Mode). The female backings give it a tender touch. Retro fans will be very pleased with this one
Boy Girl (Krieg-B Remix) has a higher tempo, harsher beats and is clearly dancefloor orientated! DJ’s and people who love to dance will be pleased with this one. The vocals sound very clean but I’m wandering what would happen if Johan (Suicide Commando) would have taken over?
Perversion (Front 242 – P. Codenys Remix) breath’s in every not the modern Front 242 sound. I can believe some fans will be very happy with this one. It’s a really nice one!
Ordinary Man (Ruined Conflict Remix) is a softer and more dream/synth pop minded track, feel the floating touch!
Infected By Love (Dominatrix Remix) reminds me with the French spoken word of a classic 80’s New Wave track (Fade to Grey from Visage). The synth pop vibe is not bad, but the tempo could have been lifted a bit. The end takes out a bit too much time (I would have cut it shorter).
Someone New (XMS Remix) reminds me slightly of And One. The beats are good, the tempo could have been lifted a bit. The song is good, but I miss the knowledge of the original.
Dancing Souls (Dark State Remix) is also a bit dancefloor minded, whilst the clean vocals sound a bit melancholic. It’s a good track.
Ordinary Man (Ethan Wood Remix) sound a bit like 70’s disco. It’s definitely a retro track that builds up slowly and also becomes louder and louder. Towards the end I even hear some deep house sound and a bit of the same building up from the Happiness (live sound) from Front 242!
Catharsis (Resilience Remix) is a female fronted synth pop track with a sweet touch and a good tempo.
I must say it’s nice to listen to the whole album, it’s just a bit weird getting a remix album after releasing 2 albums. What I heard was good enough for a review and worth my time. I enjoyed it. I hope you did too and will check them out on stage soon enough!
Here's an original version, so you can check it:
