Detroit Diesel - Terre Humaine

It's been a year full of highs and lows. I've witnessed the rise and rise of Deathwatch Asia - surely now one of (if not IF) the scene's brightest record label. I've seen the passing of Edgar Acevedo, the disbanding of Ashbury Heights, and more recently, the passing of Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson. Fortunately, a host of great things have also happened, none more so than the advent of Quebec's Detroit Diesel.

I've been watching this act since the "Dancing With Terror" demo was released in 2008, and I remember instantly thinking that there was something exceptional here. During this time, Detroit Diesel has undergone significant structural changes, and everything from aesthetic, to logo (and I believe even a member) has changed. The result? Something exceptional. Not content with breaking the mould, and making music that doesn't sound like it's been churned out of Fruity Loops, Jocelyn (One half - and main man of this project) has taken intimate time and care to ensure that 'Terre Humaine' is a rare amalgamation of unique instrumentation and immediately memorable electronica.

Since the restructure, Detroit Diesel have taken on the unorthodox gimmick of representing 1950's war-time standards, implementing both propaganda style illustrative, and war-themed tracks (without taking a single step too far from the harsh EBM roots). Every track on here is completely unique to the previous, and tracks such as "Normandy", "Serenade", "Terre Humaine" and "Ruins" have a sound that you will not find in this scene. Anywhere. It fits the gimmick perfectly - which is a mean feat, considering the lack of similarity to the genre.

"Not Yet" and "Bring me Noise" ensure that the fanatics of the genre don't feel left out, and "All Lost Before Dawn" is one of those tracks that you cannot do justice to using the medium of words. There is such an overwhelming amount of talent on this release, and it's easy to see why the hype surrounding this was developed.

Amazingly, 'Terre Humaine' is a debut album (Despite being a re-release of the 2009 demo with a few extra tracks). Not one track on this album is poor, and even the ones that don't stand out are immediately recognizable. With the 'Lost Signals' EP already available, and the track "Deadly Sins", also available via a Russian Magazine CD, this is one band you cannot ignore any longer. Detroit Diesel has arrived, and the war machine will roll on. Best thing to come out of Canada. Ever.

Weak Points :
- Missing some of the earlier tracks ("In The City", "When Darkness Falls", "Dancing with Terror"), all of which could fit on here without a second glance.
- Unsure about the project name in relation to the sound and theme. Dec 01 2010