Synthwave just does not have the same effect that it used to. A lot of it feels so watered down and cliche. Lucky for this writer, Demonwarp's new album, "Dominion", plays more like an industrial stomp fest that immediately captured my attention. Ripping, buzzsaw guitars, punishing bass and beats, and metal-influenced vocals accompany some of the darkest, almost oppressively heavy synths I have heard in a while. "Enter Dominion" starts off as a bit of a slow-burn introduction for what is to come. Eerie electronics permeate the soundscape as a creepy soundbite about demons drones on in the background, when about halfway through the song the tempo suddenly jumps into frantic life. "No Future" sees the introduction of Demonwarp's harsh vocal attack, utilizing a harsh industrial influenced growl, while juxtaposing a more electro/dubstep audio canvas. "Soul Modification" featuring frequent collaborator Jenna Cogan, takes us on a more melodic journey through a deal with the Devil as the synthwave influence takes center stage. Demonwarp also displays his masterful use of contrasting different aural textures as the chorus and verse are peppered with chugging guitar riffs. About halfway through the 14 song album, "Broken Machine" shows us an exercise in sludgy, doomy dark electro that lets the toxic tonalities of the composition speak instead of adding lyrics. "Wretched" really lets the metal influences out to play through frenetic drum beats that launch into a straight up classic hard-style electro break fit to snap your neck. "Graveland" brings the album to a riotous conclusion, as all the different elements explored throughout the album come crashing together in one monster of an amalgamation. There are an addition two remixes of "Possess Me" by Slighter and "No Future" from SurgeryHead that also deserve mention and your rapt attention. This is not your typical synthwave artist or album, far from it. Blending influences of the darkest corners of electro and dubstep, Demonwarp takes us into musical territories devoid of the glitzy neon that dominates the aforementioned genres.
Standout Tracks: "Graveland" and "Soul Modification".
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