Darkvolt's long-awaited debut album 'The Time Device' has finally arrived(out 27/9), offering an exhilarating sonic journey through the past, present, and future. Each track paints a vivid picture, from the bittersweet nostalgia of 'The Magic Is Gone' to the thought-provoking reflections in 'For Better or Worse.'
The Time Device showcases Darkvolt's signature sound while fearlessly crossing genres, creating a cohesive yet diverse musical experience. This album invites you to explore new dimensions in every track, blending innovation with a familiar sense of depth and emotion.
Forever sounds like laments put over an electronic structure with great beats and a good tempo. I dig the music, but I have accept the vocals somehow. The spoken word part towards the end makes it sound better.
Voltage Control has again great electronical/industrial parts, the vocals here remind me a bit of the early version of The Prodigy.
The Magic is Gone gets a more distorted sound mixed with some industrial bleeps and a slice of retro wave (Gang of Four-minded). The more you listen to the song, the better it gets, so call it a slow grower.
Storm has an eclectic and electrical sound, but has not a stormy tempo/drive. If you take away the few words you’ll hear it’s almost a drone track or at least what you hear when one person is moving around his electronical setting.
Tools of Destruction is a mid-tempo EBM / Electro track with Nine Inch Nails influences! The song was already unleashed with a clip.
Precious Dangerous sounds a bit like Gollum talking about his ring, but I suppose it can also be considered as some kind of lovesong? The tempo is low, has a haunting mood swing and a bit of pathos.
Interlude is according to me the natural sound of this project, but somehow the other songs got vocals on top, yet I hear here clearly his talent for creating music within this genre.
For Better or Worse calls on the creatures of the night and asks them for a walk (hat’s the tempo of the song). Towards the end the sound becomes more eclectic.
Killswitch is a nice song, but I expected more with this title. In the end it’s a nice old school EBM track.
Electric Angel (Album version) mixes all kind of stuff: EBM, industrial, New Wave, blips and beeps … Just the vocals don’t appeal to me as the beats are alright.
The Device is a (boring) spoken word, the kind of track I would skip. I want beats, I want to jump up and down, dance … not this horror minded lullaby.
The Time is what I would call an outro, slowly killing time, almost crawling towards the end …
The album is already available on Bandcamp and will be coming to Spotify and other streaming platforms + digital stores on September 27th along a physical release on CD.
Well apparently the vocals are not my kind of cup, whilst the music is appealing. I was struggling and really had to force myself to finish this review. No offence intended, it’s just not my thing. I’m pretty sure there are people who will enjoy it! On another note: it’s a slow grower and tracks become better after a while. The thing about the vocals is they are clean: no tricks, no distortion, no effects (not like Hocico, Dive etc.), so yes: imagine all those artists without this kind of help or imagine Wout Van Aert winning the Tour de France on an electrical bike (with no speed limitations) … Fact is he’s not Robert Smith, rather Eldrich searching for his right way to bring his lyrics … Give this one a chance and some time. I’m sure he’ll get there as the music is already top! Good luck!
PS: nice album cover!
