Pushed forward by their EP trilogy Escape, Hate and Wrong, and building up on their growing success received during their recent German tour with their neighbours & friends of Apoptygma Berzerk, Norway's Essence Of Mind presents us their 4th album called The break up ...
No place to Hide starts a bit with a mysterious sound but very soon it explodes and turns into a harsh techno industrial rocker with clean and screaming vocals rendering a very interesting sound. At some point you even get a Euro pop feel. Escape is a great rocker that makes a great passage on stage possible. The mix between semi-grunting and the clean voice is just great, same goes with the variation in styles within the same song: from poppy, to electro, industrial and metal: all in one and that is in fact their trademark (I must admit: it’s really my thing)!
Wrong goes the same way, but with a positive vibe (despite the title). Can’t take it gets even some breakbeats and a more aggressive feel, still mixed with that clean voice. It’s clear that Erlend Eilertsen can play and fool around with his vocal possibilities as if it’s nothing. I got a Ain’t talking about Dub (Apollo 440) feeling during this one, mixed with a softer side. Disturbing Situations and Contaminated are nice tracks with lots of variation and a modern sound. Already from the EP’s it was clear that you get a rough mix between Linkin Park, The Prodigy, Apoptygma Berzerk and Depeche Mode, with Hate we all get it united in one track and yes: one of my favourite ones! The other Side starts on a softer side before the dubstep mix with heavy guitars. The Sequence is a great rocker and a hell of a screamer with the soft side duality. Tear Apart is already the last regular track, time flies fast on this nice album. A little piano and a soft voice opens this end track, turns out to be a sad and almost depressive ballad. Nice way to end an album!
After this we receive some remixes! First one is the Escape club mix giving it a more floating vibe and a more old school techno feel. Technomancer (aka Roy Julian Digre) puts in the trademarked sound: extra drums and synths and a retro feel. It’s a great version. Xenturion Prime changes Hate into a real clubber and party raver! Vigilante attacks The other Side and creates a more aggressive version with harsher guitars (more dubstep) and turns it into something I adore (more than the original) and that is always a great challenge!
Short conclusion: great album and perfect remixes!