Avarice in Audio - Apollo & Dionysus (Bonus Tracks Version)

Okay. This might be a little hard for myself to get through without shedding a tear or ten. When I first heard Avarice In Audio's debut album Shine & Burn at the end of 2014, I absolutely fell in love with Jade Pegg's vocals on the album. She is a modern day siren and a voice I will always have an ear for. Her voice paired with Gerry Hawkins close attention to production turned out an awesome debut album for a band that was - and somehow still is - remarkably unknown. While the original album had some flaws here and there, Avarice In Audio stuck with me as a band that needed to be watched.

Fast forward a year and a half and Avarice In Audio is back with their sophomore album Apollo & Dionysus. When I mentioned shedding a tear earlier it is not only because there is a handsome beauty surrounding this album, but it's also because Pegg has informed the general audience a few weeks ago that she will be leaving AIA. So, while I will praise this album left and right, I will also be holding a bunch of napkins close to me to wipe away all the tears and snot. 


The first thing I would like to point out is Gerry's complete overhaul with his growling, dark electro inspired vocal set. I remember I did have a bit of a problem with his singing/growling on Shine & Burn all that time ago, but since then it seems as if the man has kicked his own ass in the studio and come back reformed from a military boot camp. 'Anthracite Nights' and 'Pater Noster' are testimonies to this. While I will admit his vocal set could be confused for another dark electro/aggrotech band, paired with the unique beats and rhythms present on Apollo & Dionysus, you won't be confusing this music anytime soon. Hawkins also does a duet between clean vocals and growling vocals on 'Tigerblood'. That song has a fucking amazing club rhythm to it; a mix of futurepop and a thumping beat makes it stand out. 

Perhaps what also helps Apollo & Dionysus stand out is the involvement of Hawkin's friend and longtime collaborator Lawrie Bayldon, better known for his project Studio-X. Handling extra duties with music production, mixing, and remixing, Bayldon's involvement since the beginning of Avarice In Audio has been noted. However, given the fact that he is now an official member of AIA, well, that makes things even more exciting. Add in that Ayax of Ascension Ex also produced the album and, well, the album becomes that much better. Pegg's involvement as well has not been understated throughout this review, as her voice is still one of the best parts of AIA and therefore is a major player on Apollo & Dionysus. As soon as her voice hits on 'Her Fire' I doubt anyone will be able to walk away from this album without wanting to hear more. 

Just like with Shine & Burn, the collaborations on Apollo & Dionysus are very well done. 'Glamour' featuring Psy'Aviah is the album's starting track. There could be no better way to start the album than with this track; it's awe-inspiring and could crush any other club song any day of the week. Dark-electro, breathtaking deep house build-ups, and elements of IDM are scattered all throughout the track. 

Damasius Venys' (Mondträume) handsome and romantic voice comes in on the track 'Crystal Tears'. If you have not heard this heartthrob sing as of yet, you will fall for his gothic-charged highness. Mr.Kitty makes a turn out on 'Juvenile Desires', which is a very cut up, electronically charged song on the album with a lot of oddball twists and turns. MiXE1 makes a comeback return on this album in 'Heartstrings'. The track is extremely cinematic and fairy tale inspired; I could see this track being used in a live action telling of a classic prince-versus-dragon story.

The last collaboration was with Chris Anderson, a former vocalist from Dream Recall on 'World Without Song'. This is the only track on the album that I have a problem with, but it has nothing to do with anything related to Avarice In Audio. While Anderson's voice is able to stay in tune with the music, he also sounds too nasally for his own good. 

That being said, the bonus tracks version of this album also comes loaded with thirteen remixes from various artists. However, two of the thirteen stuck out to me more than the rest. I loved Ludovico Technique's crunchy remix for 'Juvenile Desires'. Each beat and throb was like a punch to the face. Biomechanimal's and AIA's sound fused well together like two peas in a pod on the 'Tigerblood' remix. Both of these bands have similar tastes, and both have improved since they started, so hearing this remix made me proud of both of them. 

Apollo & Dionysus is what Avarice In Audio was meant to be from the start. Shine & Burn was merely a prelude to what would come of this band, and their newest album showcases their power in full. When I say that this Australian outfit is a hidden gem in Alfa-Matrix's roster, I sincerely say that. They are fucking good. How they haven't been massively discovered as of yet is beyond me. Hopefully this review gives them some of the attention they deserve. If not, then you're all a bunch of cocks. 
Apr 12 2016