Artist: Lyronian
Title: Hope and Veneration
Genre: EBM / Synth pop
Release date: 9th July 2010
Label: Deep Symmetry
Album Review
LYRONIAN is a very interesting EBM / Synth Pop band from Germany. Founded in 2003 by Alex Kern, the band has released only 2 albums: ‘Side Scan’ (September 2009) and ‘Hope and Veneration’ (July 2010). Both got very good reviews and are certainly worth checking out, in case you’re not familiar with them. ‘Hope and Veneration’ is a mini-album consisting of 6 new tracks and remixes of bands such as HAUJOBB. You can also find there the video to ‘The Place above’ from the ‘Side Scan’ album.
Altogether it’s a neat and fresh album. When you first hear it, you will not be necessarily thinking about HAUJOBB however. It’s experimental, true, but within boundaries that make it danceable and quite chilling. The changes in tempo are well thought through and make an interesting stand out - unlike many bands of this genre, LYRONIAN will not put you to sleep, so it’s even safe to listen to it while driving! Can’t you hear me yelling out asks Alex Kern in ‘Close to you’. No, not really. But the apparent lack of emotions adds an extra edge to this music. It’s always interesting to whisper what should be screamed out loud; otherwise you’re not far from a cliché.
What’s also interesting is that you will be thinking about Dave Gahan when listening to this album but this will not make you mad! Alex Kern is everything but another copycat and, what’s even more important; he’s not trying to be one. ‘Hope and Veneration’ is a little shining gem in the ocean of flat and debilitating monotony that has flooded this genre in the last few years. You want this album for one main reason: the guys from LYRONIAN can use their imagination as well as their instruments. And this is rare.
Tracklist
01. Close To You
02. Längst Vergangenheit
03. Dogma Dominate
04. Murderer (Άλφα)
05. Murderer (Βήτα)
06. Hope And Veneration
07. Längst Vergangenheit (Haujobb remix)
08. Close To You (The Eternal Afflict remix)
09. Dogma Dominate (!Distain remix)
10. Close To You (radio version)
11. The Place Above (video version)
Line-up
Alex Kern - songwriting, vocals, instruments
Mike Sperlich - synthesizers, bass guitar
Martin Buchmann - guitars
Tassilo Manner - guitars
Andy Schneid - acoustic drums
Website
http://www.lyronian.com/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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