Genre: Dark Electro
Label: Dependent
Rating: 8/10
On the Amphi Festival 2019 poster, a special name is
featured. On the last line, in small letters, it says Fïx8:Sëd8, an artist
which you would not really expect at a large festival with names such as
Blutengel and Lord Of The Lost. I have seen Martin Sane (real name: Martin
Januszewski) perform in small clubs several times, at small-scale dark electro events
that usually only attract a niche audience. The fact that Fïx8:Sëd8 is now also
programmed at one of the most successful gothic festivals in Germany is therefore
relatively surprising, although it helps if you are signed to a leading label
such as Dependent. However, Martin will have to be content with a modest slot as an opening band: Fïx8:Sëd8 is already playing at the Orbit Stage in the
early Sunday afternoon.
The timing could not be better: last month, Fïx8:Sëd8
released the album 'Warning Signs' and it is to be expected that Martin will
play many songs from the new record on his summer and fall tour, which recently took off with his passage at the Familientreffen. Already at the time of the
previous album 'Foren6', he had announced that the new CD would be
fundamentally different. For 2 years, I was wondering what he meant with that.
With 'Warning Signs' playing nonstop in my car in the last few weeks, I think
I finally know the answer: the new Fïx8:Sëd8 is more alternative in a way. As
in: less electronic than what you would expect from a dark electro act. Tracks
like 'Syringe Relation', 'Love' and 'In Denial' (the latter being featured on the bonus
CD 'Aftermath', which you get with the limited edition) are not typical dark
electro and not even typical dark electronic music generally speaking. That may
sound rather cryptic, but I would not know how else to describe it.
Do not fear: there are for sure authentic (dark)
electro tracks on this album as well. My personal favourite is the title track
'Warning Signs', which is the last song on the CD. This one starts ominously,
with various unearthly vocal effects that are reminiscent of Skinny Puppy.
After a dark and atmospheric intro/build-up of roughly 2 minutes, the tone
changes, which changes once again a few minutes later, after a kind of
cinematic interlude. Very cool, although I wonder if and how Martin could bring
such a complex song live. Another track that stands out for me is 'Within Cells
Interlinked', which is strikingly "clubby" by Fïx8:Sëd8 standards. The
same goes for the 'Ruptured Blood Vessel' remix of 'Embolism' on the limited
bonus CD, which is more dancefloor-friendly than the original on the actual
album. My top 3 is completed by 'Futile Attempts', not in the least because of
the lovely vocals/vocal effects and occasional piano. The other songs do not
appeal to me to the same extent, but I must admit that they are really well-made.
Then again, I do not expect anything else from a dark electro artist who knows what he is doing.
On social media, certain diehard "Fixie"
fans claim that 'Warning Signs' would be (even) better than 'Foren6', but I do
not agree with that. Both are very good albums, but personally, I prefer the
more classic dark electro style on 'Foren6', which explains why I have deducted
half a point (my ratings always reflect a combination of objective and
subjective considerations). But all fans probably agree on one thing: Fïx8:Sëd8
is by far the best (or at least the most interesting) addition to Amphi's line-up
this year. Go watch it!
CD review: Marjolein Laenen