A.T Mödell - Apocalyptophilia

It isn't often I get to review a band I haven't even heard of. A.T.Mödell are a Spanish based duo claiming to perform a combination of Dark Electro and Electro-Industrial. Let's see. A pretty decent Intro track driven by a pounding synth line segues into a more melodic number, setting the scene for "Bliss" - so far, so good.

Upbeat, and laden with crazy electronics "Bliss" is musically really good. The group seem to have atmospherics mastered. However, I'm not as sure about the vocals. They're timed beautifully to fit with the mayhem, reminding me of Javi (Terrolokaust), but a little more pitch-crazy. This track is insane and would kick ass on a dancefloor, but it just seems to be missing on production - the music is very well written and chaotic, but the vocals are low in the mix, and it is this that makes me criticise them - they might be great, and Liyak knows how to sing, but the quality hinders the album.

"This Time Alone" is very unorthodox, cementing the groups niche for soundscapes; featuring effects more akin to blowing into a pipe than actual synth. It's slower,and atmospheric. Liyak attempts a slower, closer to spoken word vocal on here. As it seems to be in Spanish, it's very hard for me to relate to. It's not a terrible track either - although I definitely prefer "Bliss".

"We're gonna eat Tonight" takes the slower, spoken vocal style and weaves it into a brooding and depressing piece of Dark Electro, reminiscent of Symbiont and Lexincrypt. The chorus has a more potent and powerful vocal, but it is so low in the mix I can barely hear it.

The album is seperated by an Intermission ("May you live in Interesting Times"). I've always loved the idea of intermissions in an album, if done well, they make something very memorable indeed. This one is more of an ambient track, combining ideas and textures to make a piece that unnerves you - as all of a sudden at the end, it becomes loud and hectic - "Interesting" indeed.

"Bursting Into The World" follows the intermission and is the best track on here so far. Typically Aggrotech, the synth is great, the drum sequencing is great, the melody is great. Vocally a little different than the track leads us to expect, this is one of the tracks on here where Liyak's vocals are really strong and mixed better. I really like this track, I just wish I could understand a single lyric.

A second intermission later seperates this release a third time, giving the 16 tracks some breathing space. "The Doomsday March" is a brilliant track that's played with seriously downtuned instruments, giving a morbid, depressive feel. "This Time Together" is another up-tempo, Aggrotech style track, but importantly, the strongest piece here is the final track proper - the title track.

Now, after a couple of listens, I have to say that this album grows on you. I hated it at first. However, it isn't without it's weaknesses. The mixing needs work, and the vocals need to change for a more worldwide audience. It's Terrolokaust meets Vondage, but sadly they appear to be in Spanish.

It's not enough to slate this horribly, but It makes it something I wouldn't listen to if I wasn't asked to review it, which is a shame because the music on here is very very good. If the duo can find a way to fix this, I can see the next release getting a 7 or 8 out of 10. Jul 05 2013