Genre: EBM - Electro
Label: Digital Absynthe / No Labels Interested
Rating: 8/10
Yesterday, I published my "best of"
list on Dark Entries. This contained a giant spoiler, as one of the Chosen Five
was a release that I still needed to review. Of course, I could have waited a
little longer, but that is not who I am. Here is my review of 'Dark Tunnel',
the new album of First Aid 4 Souls, which made it to my favourite dark
electronic releases of 2017 last-minute.
I cannot repeat it enough. This Hungarian
project remains one of the best kept secrets within the dark electronic scene.
I have all CDs of First Aid 4 Souls and there is literally not a single bad
one. The style varies from album to album, with some releases being more
experimental and/or darker than other ones. The previous album 'Trashcathedral'
was the first CD on which the collaboration with guest-vocalists was limited to
a single person, namely Mortum (in the meantime, I have found out that his real
name is Gyorgy). He is once again present on 'Dark Tunnel', making me wonder if
he has become an official band member. Either way, you will not hear me
complain, as Mortum's voice perfectly fits the dark(er) tracks of First Aid 4
Souls. And rest assured that the new album is dark.
'Dark Tunnel' is a relatively short album,
especially in comparison with previous releases. The total running time is less
than 45 minutes, covering no more than 9 tracks. The emphasis is on old-school
electro/EBM; therefore the album is in the same vein as its predecessor. But it
is remarkably more quiet, even demure in a certain way. Exceptions are 'Her
Face As An Angel' and 'A Place To Rest', which are up-tempo and cheerful to
some extent. Even though "cheerful" may not be the right word for a
song which is about a funeral (just to be clear, I am talking about 'A Place To
Rest'). Fact is that almost the entire album is dedicated to death and decay.
An excellent theme, especially with Mortum behind the microphone. I am a big
fan of his morbid sounding vocals and lyrics, which have been partly altered by
effects. Even though I have to rely on the CD booklet to check what he is
actually singing about.
A couple of tracks which I would like to mention
in particular. 'Back To Dust' is a lovely, atmospheric track with a menacing
undertone in the beginning. The subsequent, equally melodic 'Sleeping In Death'
is even better. The multi-layered vocals/effects give this track a wonderful,
almost moving touch. 'Dead Life To The Sons Of Men' is the most unusual track on
this album because of its tribal feel. It is not the first time that First Aid
4 Souls is experimenting with this kind of influences, but on 'Dark Tunnel', it
feels a bit out of place. In 'Nothing Keeps My Mind Clean', Mortum delivers yet
another really nice vocal contribution. Finally, 'Inside There Is No God' is an
authentic dark electro song. Dark and menacing, reminiscent of the 90s.
CD review: Marjolein Laenen
