CD Review: XP8 - X - A Decade Of Decadence

Written by Sebastian Huhn Saturday, 03 December 2011 15:35

PDF | Print |

Artist: XP8
Title: X - A Decade Of Decadence
Genre: Electronic
Release Date: 2nd December 2011
Label: Independent Release

Album Review

If you were wondering what the hell XP8 are up to these days you’ll now find the clear answer here. A new EP was in the pipeline and of course there’s a lot of work going into creating something like that. We’re going to have a closer look at the EP now, entitled ‘X - A Decade Of Decadence’. You’ll get treated to 7 completely new tracks plus three remixes. But let’s start with the new ones. The first to mention is ‘Bullet Hole’ that makes crystal clear how XP8 sounds in 2011. The track impressively demonstrates the level of maturity their sound has reached by no. Melodic and aggressive vocal parts work together in harmony and slight spherical elements create atmosphere. On the second track ‘Burning Down’, distorted emotions take control of the scenery, only to be replaced by a killer chorus in the middle.

A stronger bass drum leads into the sombre and heavily atmospheric realms of ‘Fragility’, the vocals being quite low-key not to destroy any mood. Now if you started thinking that this has become way to calm now you’ll welcome ‘Wake Up’ with open arms I guess. It’s kind of like the counterpart to the previous track. There are plenty of ambient elements in there a well, though the focus has been placed on unbridled emotion delivery that is like a hard punch in the gut. ‘Trip’ incorporates a more complicated approach to rhythmic construction while remaining as minimalist as it can get on other parts and the vocals create a feeling of unease while listening. ‘Decadence’ is more of a dark future pop tune actually, at times reminding of ICON OF COIL. ‘The Wound That Won’t Heal’ is the last of the new tunes, having a plethora of interesting sound effects in stock for you.

ON top there are the remixes of several earlier XP8 tracks, all with one common denominator: An increased club feeling, slightly differing depending on who reworked it. Oddly enough, the new EP, regardless of the club affinity has become quite a serene release by XP8 terms. Its strength lies in the depth of what’s being delivered. A strong, at times disturbing release!


Tracklist

01. Bullet Hole - 4:25
02. Burning Down - 4:44
03. Fragility - 5:02
04. Wake Up! - 4:36
05. Trip (feat. Stewart Who?) - 4:09
06. Decadence - 4:30
07. The Wound That Won't Heal - 5:20
08. Muv Your Dolly (Aesthetic Perfection Remix) - 4:10
09. The Art Of Revenge (Autodafeh Remix) - 5:46
10. Cuttin'n'Drinkin (Vanity Police Remix) - 5:26


Line-Up

Marco Visconti
Marko Ressurreccion

Website

http://www.xp8.org/ / http://www.facebook.com/officialXP8


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10