Entry #: 0002
Genre: Electronic
Style: Early Synthwave/EBM (Electronic Body Music)
Artist: Wasted Doom
Country of Origin: Germany
Album: Anger Your Neighbours!!!
Year of Release: 1987
Notes: Electronic Body Music is the combination of punk music and early industrial to create a heavy synth sound. Very similar to the style of synthwave from Perurbator.
Impressions:
A lot less to talk about for this release. Just looking at the album cover you would think it was 1980s black metal or doom metal release, far from it however. The album is four tracks in length with the disc running about 20 minutes (19:58 to be exact). The first track that we get on this release is called Hot Rod. Quite a bit going on in this track. Industrial drums, low bass synths, more industrial samples, and vocals on top of that. Sort of sounds like a Nine Inch Nails demo if Trent Reznor was from Germany. Certainly an interesting piece, but nothing I have not heard before from bands that embrace the industrial sound fully. Very brooding overall but it feels like it is being pulled in two totally different directions, industrial and synthwave. The mix certainly can work as Perturbator illustrated in his music, but it leaves a little bit to be desired on this track.
The next track is a little different. Videogewalt is still embracing the industrial undertones but adding sampled conversation from some philosopher or something. I couldn't find where it is from, maybe you guys can. The vocals from the actual singer are almost post punk sounding to me. It is much more interesting in that regard. The randomness of the samples are keeping me on my toes though so that is cool. Overall, a better offering then Hot Rod.
I'll skip the third track, Hijacked Plane, and go straight to the final one, the third track is not that special. Found it boring to be honest. Prediction however, is where the record shines the most. The industrial undertones kind of feel a little more embraced in this track. I liked the bass line in this one compared to the others. It felt a little fresher to me I guess. I kind of wish the track was a little shorter though. It overstays its welcome at about the 4:30 mark. But other than that, solid track. Unfortunately I could not find a youtube video for this one, however the album is on Last.fm for those of you who still use the service.
So a bit of a step down in quality from yesterday but it still did enough to catch my attention for repeat listens. This early form of synthwave is like I said in my introduction to the genre, minimalist. Not nearly as big or bombastic as modern day synthwave. Those descriptors certainly don't mean anything to the quality of the music. As I am sure I will find great early synthwave, and bad modern synthwave. I just have to keep looking
.
Initial Score: Anger Your Neighbors!!! receives a
5.8 out of
10
Standout Tracks: Prediction, Videogewalt
Weaker Tracks: Hijacked Plane
Thanks for reading. Hopefully we can get something a little better next time. Right now modern synthwave is edging out the 80s offering. But with only two albums looked at I'm sure we will find something in the near future.