Say Just Words - The Perfect Killer EP

Hailed by many as a forthcoming sensation in the Dark Electro scene, and criticised by others as being too much of a Dawn of Ashes clone (The cover of 'Flat-Line' on the 'Dark Desire Machine' demo was amazing, but very, very similar to the original), Jose R has a point to prove.

If you discard the impossible to obtain demo, and the digital only release 'In the Shadow of the Chaos', this is Say Just Words' debut release on CD, and one that was (arguably) long, long overdue.

'En el Nombre de Dios' initiates proceedings, by doing what these projects do best - an eerie intro builds up towards a spoken sample, and both are met with a marriage of pounding bass and melodic, genuinelly memorable synth. Jose's vocals are reminiscent of those of K Bathory, but the reasons to accuse this Chilean act of being a 'fan worship band' are simply irrelevant, as the standards that the music sets far excel any pre-conceptions of rivalry.

The bass is thick and omnipotent, the vocals are mixed to a level where they're always at the higher end of the scale, yet at the right times are substituted for the interludes, bridges, and progressions. Like the classic (and sadly absent) track 'Faces' from the earlier work, Say Just Words' manifesto consists solely of making the most melodic and anthemic music, but never betraying the harsh sounds that the genre is built around.

The title track is six minutes long (fuck the part-time four minute clubbers}, and again starts off with a build up, this time slower and more foreboding.

'Abandonment of God' is the second best track here, and this one improves on the musicianship of Jose, and features Fredrik Croona on vocals (is there anything worth hearing that he isn't a part of?).
Interestingly, Fredrik's recognisable style isn't dominant over the music here, and rarely, both partner together to form a qualitative, respectful tandem.

'Block 11' is more of the same material, and we'll skip it (but for lack of repetition only), and move to 'Controlling Me', featuring Deathwatch Asia and Infacted's Peruvian duo, 'Reaxion Guerrilla'. Many a head was startled when 2010's ' I Hate You' was released, and in the 15 months since, it's not loosened its grip on the fanbase in the slightest.

At six original tracks and seven remixes (eight if you included the digital only remix), it's easy to be concerned about keeping up the standards for a full length. I mentioned earlier however that there was one stand out track on here making its mark as my personal favourite -

Enter; 'Victimas' - a number released on the digital demo 'The Shadow Of The Chaos', but easily good enough to be professionally mastered and reissued.

In traditional, time-honoured Dark Electro fashion, the only way to possibly improve on a fantastic release is by adding a remix by C-Lekktor.
Guess what track 7 is? Yep, you got it!

After such a thralling septet, it's difficult for the following remixes to really stand out, but each has merit worthy of this EP, and special mention goes to fellow Chilean act 'Die Braut', Argentinian act 'Truppenterror', and label mates 'Andro-Dioxin'.

A full length is due later this year, and this album is an excellent precursor to a very exciting era. I'll give a closing nod to the cover art to this CD - although I don't know what the hell it is, It's excellent. Mar 18 2012