Anthracitic Moths - Zwoelf

'Zwoelf' is an album of remixes from the Russian electro-industrial band Anthracitic Moths. The band was launched in 2008, 'Zwoelf' follows the debut album 'Delicate Devil' released in 2011. The album is offered as a free download.

The release is opened by the original version of the track Biomass. The remixes include collaborations performed in various styles by Wormz, RSM, Pray Project, Virgin Fix and Diezel Xzaust, Zweifelhaft, Sleetgrout, Tatlum, Cutoff:Sky, DJ Rentgen, Distorted World and Dioxin. The final track Zwoelf completes the album.

Our first track "Biomass (Original Version)" is a class industrial track, it has all hallmarks of the early industrial work as an experiment with noise, while combining with a more electro-industrial sound of harsh beats and distorted vocals. This all makes for a flowing experience, made special by the vocals 'par excellence'. The hardtrance influence makes it into a dance track also.

Having reviewed their album recently I have become a fan of the Italian Cyberpunks WormZ, and this remix "Shagom Marsh (Wormz 100% Reload)" continues my admiration. Very much an intense electronic dance floor filler done in WormZ very own hardstyle fashion. They use everything a their disposal, making for a great beat and drums and synth melody, with great vocals once again, as their techno and trance influences shine through.

I never seem to get tired of these banging frenzies from Diezel Xhaust. "Biomass (Refixed by Virgin Fix & Diezel Xzaust)" has so much power and rhythm, it just makes you want to do the same. Frustratingly I have a glass desk. The pure energy, beat and hardtechno like rhythm even turn it into another dance track. This time with the aid of Virgin Fix, a Russian TBM project.

The "Shagom Marsh (Dioxin Mix)" features some very good harsh vocals and some excellent synth lines. From start to finish very much made to fill a dance floor. Another track that flows so well, while still being so raw and full of energy. The synths and vocals combine so well to just push you through this one whether you like it or not, it's so smoothly brutal.

The project Zweifelhaft brings us another very good mix with "Biomass (Zweifelhaft Mix)", this time in an electro-industrial dance fashion. Very much a dance floor filler with a techno influence, while the hardtrance element of the original track remains. All made possible by some nice layered synths and drums.

Very different is the "Shagom Marsh (Pray Project Dub Tune Mix)", which is very much dub based but also has elements of electro, trance and even EBM pumping its heart. Really not my thing musically but I would find it hard to fault the way they have done this. After a couple of plays it even becomes a little catchy.

Next Cutoff:Sky bring us their techno-industrial version with "Biomass (Remixed by Cutoff:Sky)". Another smooth, flowing and layered remix of this track. Drums are used most prominently in the mix and very effectively as is the vocoder when used. It still retains a dance beat as it pumps along but if it has lost anything in that way it makes up for it in atmosphere. The vocals are good also as they have been throughout so far.

DJ Rentgen delivers us the "Shagom Marsh (DJ Rentgen Exp. Mix)". This is described as pumping house and hard bass, a kind of dark slowed down hardcore combined with industrial beats and samples, and drum and base. Not for me but still may go down well in the clubs.

"Biomass (Remix by Tatlum)" is very much of the experimental industrial genre. Powered up electronic noise, done breakcore style at a high tempo. Once again not to my taste but I can still tell that it's put together well and for those who like this breakcore/industrial style I have no doubt it will go down well.

I am expecting great things from Sleetgrout. In "Shagom Marsh (Sleetgrout Mix)" even after just a few beats I know I am not going to be disappointed. Quality hardtrance influenced aggrotech from start to finish. Excellent vocals are carried along by the even better synth lines and drums. An excellent rhythm combined with the synths make for a dance floor filler, with the vocals adding to the dance experience greatly.

RSM the Polish dark electronic project bring us our last remix of the track "Biomass (RSM Mix)". We have a nice anthemic start, but the vocals seem too distant on this track and the further we go it sounds disjointed. It's a big sound but there's just too much going on around it to be appreciated.

Our last remix is "Shagom Marsh (Distorted World Sympho Remix)". We get what we should expect I suppose, an orchestral track. Great sounds build a dark atmosphere, then the harsh vocals come in to further build on this. All very clever and soundtrack like, as the storytelling synths play and the drums pound.

"Zwoelf" the title track completes our album, showing Anthracitic Moths at their very best. Powerful drums beat out a great rhythm with a synth and metal backing, complementing the consistently good vocals, and making for another dance floor filler. The hardtrance influence shines through once again, which combine with the dark electro elements to make such a good sound.

Conclusion
One of the best remix albums I have have heard recently and as it's a free download that makes it amazing. My highlight of the album has to be "Zwoelf", with the other non-remix "Biomass" not far behind. Of the remixes several spring to mind but if I have to choose, it will be "Shagom Marsh (Dioxin Mix)", because as I said before its so smoothly brutal. Not every remix on the album I fear will appeal to all as it's nicely varied, but what have you got to lose, so download it now as it's greatly recommended.
Aug 07 2012