Syndrome X/209 - Gemini

Kettil's last full length album was 'Feline Daemon' in 2009, and between then and now, Syndrome x/209 has been less active, due to his work in Project Rotten. After last years 'In Loving Memory' EP was released, a new album was hinted at strongly, and it has arrived in the form of the rather excellent 'Gemini'.

With an Intro track surprisingly titled 'Intro', the pace and mood of the album is set with the wailing of electronics, and the fast build up that succeeds it. It's a track that's full of energy, very atmospheric, and actually one of the most memorable intros out there - the voice at the end is great.

The intro carries on and forms the first part of "Air" - the first proper track on the release, and something is seriously, seriously impressive here. This is fast, fast EBM fused with Techno beats. i anticipate it to be about 170 BPM, if not faster. It's uber melodic, and Kettil's vocals are massively improved since Feline Daemon - I've listened to this over and over again, and there's nothing stopping me from thinking it's as good as Suicide Commando and Hocico were at their pinnacles. I don't know if it was meant to be this polished and brilliant, but the track, much like its title suggests, is a delicious thing to take in.

"Eden" continues the Faithless meets Suicide Commando meets Lujhboia approach to the release. It's picked up on the problems that all genres that draw from trance have, and corrected them with attitude and confidence. It's involved, doesn't generate the same repetition for too long and makes you dance more than someone shooting bullets at your feet constantly.

Between "Eden" and the albums genial moment, "Skyshot" is a track called "Left Behind" which is probably one of the most club-friendly tracks of the year.

"Skyshot", as mentioned before is the fifth track on here, and has something of an epic, ubiquitous feel to it. It sounds like it will be popular anywhere it is heard, and has some gorgeous, gorgeous melodies in it.

There's little point in doing a track by track - this release has a grandiose, accomplished view to it, and it's one that would even appeal to those who didn't quite get Project Rotten - unless of course, they hate this genre as a rule of thumb, in which case they're missing out here.

The final thing I have to say on the music is that I'm impressed to see just ONE remix, and ten original pieces. The track remixed is "Air", and it's done by none other than the hugely original "PreEmptive Strike 0.1" - they say everything counts in small amounts, and this mix is a huge flag to wave.

Production on this release seems flawless - it's crisp, danceable and actually fades certain bits in and out at times to enforce the sound, rather than remaining a noise of constant oontz- too much is sometimes exactly that.

Kettil - well done. I Can't use the word revolutionary, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was. Jul 11 2012