Mechanimal - Delta Pi Delta

There are but a few moons before 2015 is laid to rest and another brilliant year shall birth from the ashes of the past. While there are tons of album from this year that I have yet to grace with my words, I have found myself wanting to spread word of albums that are yet to come. Within that mix is Greek minimal electronic project Mechanimal's third album "Delta Pi Delta". 

Mechanimal is well noted in their home country not only for being able to land on one of Greece's more successful indie labels Inner Ear Records, but for also putting out very well produced material. While both their previous albums "Mechanimal" and "Secret Science" were constructed in the chaotic undercurrent of Athens, the band moved to a natural environment in mountain forests to clear their heads and let the music be unobstructed by any negative energy or influence. 

The band also underwent a change in line-up. Frontman and founder Giannis Papaioannou is on as keyboardist, Tassos Nikogiannis on guitars, Antonis Charalambidis on drums, and Eleni Tzavara is leading the fray with her charming vocals. As such, "Delta Pi Delta" has turned out to be an endearing work of musical splendor. 

If you follow the band at all, the introductory track 'Sunlight' should be familiar as it is readily available for streaming via YouTube, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp. As such, 'Sunlight' is one of the more striking songs on the album. When the powerful and heavenly synths aren't filling your ears with bliss, Tzavara's beautiful voice sings like a siren, able to make any one being fall to their knees quivering with delight. 

Chiming and playful rhythms come across in 'Repetition', wherein Tzavara's voice is less sung and more spoken. Nonetheless, there is not a drought in enjoyment. 'Thistlemilk' brings out shoegaze influence and will be a hit for anyone who enjoys modern day indie-pop. 'Sawdust' is one of their more experimental, instrumental tracks on the album. Beginning off with light electronic toying, the track merges with squelched guitar work and finally runs through a robust synth workout. 

'Radio On' has a rather quickened pace but follows other songs already present on the album. 'Winter Mute' has more of a dance rhythm to it, queuing in an EBM beat. Tzavara's vocals also become toughened to match the rugged feel of the song, and I appreciated that. 'Sextant' plays around with a couple of acoustic elements, but still keeps in ambient sound work. 'Ferrum' offered tribal drums within the song, but kept the atmosphere going. This is another track that wasn't so standard on the album and held my attention well enough. Coming to the end, 'Illuminations' really took the potential Nikogiannis presented with his guitar skills and gave them more of a spotlight. Lastly, the final track 'Search The Woods' was a very chilled out song. Yes, the guitars were amped up and the music was a bit more ear blasting, but Tzavara's voice along with always stress free drum patterns from Charalambidis made sure the album left off a love note. 

Though Greece is going through a troubled time period, it is marvelous to see that such acts of beauty and grace can come out of terrible conditions. Mechanimal has proved that very well on this day, and come January 4th when "Delta Pi Delta" officially releases art will be held and beloved by the few who take their time to listen to this tenor album. 
Dec 29 2015