Dedicated Hardware - Energy Transformation Process
An introduction, for surely most of you won't know this project. Dedicated Hardware hails from Portland, Oregon and is the sole project of Sean Barrett. His entire portfolio has eluded me since the 2007 inception, and despite being a self-labelled Electro Industrial act, i'm surprised, as for the first time his list of 'artists I sound like' is exclusively full of unknown names.
The first track, 'Big Air Pig' has Front Line Assembly written all over it. Sean's vocals are a bit harsher, and the production, as you'd expect, lacks a sheen and polish. It recalls some of Front 242's later work, and has a hint of something to it when the main section of the track kicks in that makes you beam with anticipation.
Oddly-titled 'Her Beautys Caught In My Flywheel' furthers the old school EBM feel, and although this may be streets behind the overall quality of the bigger names, this isn't far off in substance and content. I'm finding it hard at times to actually not notice a similarity to Front 242. It doesn't' feel like it's forced either - no imitations here.
It's quite an unethical release - tracks three and four sound a bit more like the early days of Dark Electro - think Page 12 and early :Wumpscut: and you'll have a rough feel as to how this sounds.
'More than A Sound Bite' is significantly more 'Industrial' than the previous tracks, and it's one of those that would sound brilliant in my cars soundsystem (I have a 2001 Ford "Ka" Hatchback, which to those in the know is a tiny bubble of a car with massive surround sound). My PC set up isn't that great, and it often requires the use of headphones or quality production to get the most out of a track.
There's a total of Eleven tracks on ETP, and although none of them can jump out and say "pick me! pick me!", none of them are weak, either. It's a bit of a difficult album to truly pick critique with, but on the strength of the material here, with better production, Dedicated Hardware is signable and marketable. I can think of two labels alone that work with this sound - both of which thrive on enthusiasm and talent. Sean has both, even if you need a trip down the highway to find them. Any excuse? Jun 05 2012
The first track, 'Big Air Pig' has Front Line Assembly written all over it. Sean's vocals are a bit harsher, and the production, as you'd expect, lacks a sheen and polish. It recalls some of Front 242's later work, and has a hint of something to it when the main section of the track kicks in that makes you beam with anticipation.
Oddly-titled 'Her Beautys Caught In My Flywheel' furthers the old school EBM feel, and although this may be streets behind the overall quality of the bigger names, this isn't far off in substance and content. I'm finding it hard at times to actually not notice a similarity to Front 242. It doesn't' feel like it's forced either - no imitations here.
It's quite an unethical release - tracks three and four sound a bit more like the early days of Dark Electro - think Page 12 and early :Wumpscut: and you'll have a rough feel as to how this sounds.
'More than A Sound Bite' is significantly more 'Industrial' than the previous tracks, and it's one of those that would sound brilliant in my cars soundsystem (I have a 2001 Ford "Ka" Hatchback, which to those in the know is a tiny bubble of a car with massive surround sound). My PC set up isn't that great, and it often requires the use of headphones or quality production to get the most out of a track.
There's a total of Eleven tracks on ETP, and although none of them can jump out and say "pick me! pick me!", none of them are weak, either. It's a bit of a difficult album to truly pick critique with, but on the strength of the material here, with better production, Dedicated Hardware is signable and marketable. I can think of two labels alone that work with this sound - both of which thrive on enthusiasm and talent. Sean has both, even if you need a trip down the highway to find them. Any excuse? Jun 05 2012
Off label
Official release released by the artist themselves without the backing of a label.
Share this review
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Shares
Buy this release
Bandcamp
Soror Dolorosa - Apollo is available at POPONAUT from 35,95€
Related articles
Everything Goes Cold - 'The Tyrant Sun'
Review, Mar 25 2012
Gremnir
Interview, Jun 09 2023
Various Artists - 'Return To The Classixx Vol. 1'
Review, May 07 2009
Ginger Snap5 - 'Snapped By You'
Review, Feb 05 2014
The Fair Attempts - 'Ashes of Your Making'
Review, Oct 18 2021