Title: San Diego 2K9 (Luminographic Agony)
Artist: The Eternal Afflict feat. Qntal
Genre: Electronica / Indie / Alternative
Release Date: 30th January 2009
Label: Afflict:Me Records
Album Review
THE ETERNAL AFFLICT formed in 1989 and were influenced by bands like BAUHAUS, CHRISTIAN DEATH and THE VIRGIN PRUNES. In 1991, they debuted with the album ‘Atroci(-me)ty’, followed by the ‘(Luminographic) Agony EP’. In 1994 and due to creative and personal differences the band members decided to call it quits with the project. A retrospective collection followed in 1998, but first in 2001 it was decided to revive the project for another album, just to see how it works out. The album’s name became ‘Karthasis’ and it was released in 2003. Before the protagonists parted ways again, they’ve released one more regular and one Best-Of album in 2006.
With ‘San Diego 2K9’, the project revives their biggest club hit gives it a fresh sound update and employed a prominent support with Sigrid “Syrah” Hausen, being the classically trained singer of QNTAL. To be perfectly honest: That’s a combination that takes a little time getting used to. After all Cyan’s raw shouts and Syrah’s bright mezzo-soprano organ are as different as it can get but somehow it works. Of course, there’s also a QNTAL remix of the track, included on the disc, highlighting more symphonic string elements and a percussion, blending in quite smoothly with the electronic dance beat. Our much loved tower crane conductors of PATENBRIGADE:WOLFF build up more pressure concerning the rhythmic section, just sounds fuller to me and with the typical ambient soundscapes on top it’s more like an original Patenbrigade track with guest vocals than a remix.
The ‘Luminographic Agony’ EP was one of the earliest releases of THE ETERNAL AFFLICT from 1992 which has found its way on this CD in a re-mastered form, starting with ‘Agony, I like’ which is surrounded which is surrounded by a unique raw charm and bursting with haunting themes. ‘Nirvana’ as a philosophical concept is being described as the perfect peace of the state of mind that is free from craving, anger and other afflictive states but many people associate with it the nothingness that comes in the afterlife. The track ‘Nirvana’ really leads to a dark place out of which an operatic voice sounds, screaming at us “Your heaven never has existed!” and the monumental fabric the song has, its shifting tempos and cascading synth walls, helps pushing this and more words deeply into our minds. ‘Seventh Culture/The Awakening’ closes the EP with a nearly seven minutes lasting and claustrophobic sound collage of evil synth layers and rough rhythmic fragments, immersing your souls into utter darkness.
Just like the original ‘San Diego’, the 2K9 update surely won’t miss its effect on the clubs and club goers of the indie scene. I only missed a remix exploring a different path than the one of club-compatibility. As for the ‘(Luminographic) Agony’ tracks; they alone are already worth the money with an atmosphere, you’ll not find very often anymore in today’s music and if that’s still not enough, the disc also features the video clips to ‘Agony, I like’ and ‘San Diego’.
Tracklist
01. San Diego 2k9 (Radio Edit) – 4:09
02. San Diego 2k9 (Qntal RMX) – 5:45
03. San Diego 2k9 Jesus on Exstasy RMX) – 5:38
04. San Diego 2k9 (Patenbrigade Wolf) – 5:14
05. San Diego 2k9 (Project Pitchfork RMX) – 6:07
06. Agony, I Like – 4:28
07. San Diego (The Tragical) – 6:36
08. Paint It Black – 4:26
09. Nirvana – 6:22
10. Dreams Take Blind Souls – 6:40
11. Seventh Culture The Awakening – 6:48
Line-up
Cyan - Lyrics & Vocals
Winus - Music & Production
Per - Add. Keys & Co.Production
Website
www.myspace.com/theeternalafflict
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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