Ex_Tension - Freedom

Take equal parts from the following eras and combine: Lagowski's early 90s singles, DVA's Digital Soundtracks period, Lassigue Bendthaus' Matter album and Klinik's Contrast and Sonic Surgery records. Garnish with Arbre Noir'. There's Ex_Tension broken down into their primary elements. It's an intriguing combination but ultimately, I already own all these works and while I appreciate their channeling of so many definitive times... I sincerely hope they have moved on from this sound. 'Freedom' was originally issued in 2006 in an extremely limited run and now gains a wider audience thanks to this proper release by Signifier. This is arresting work, without question, which is probably why I am somewhat sentimental about the end result and won't judge this pair too harshly. 'Freedom' is very retro in sound and if there ever is to be a chance for exquisitely dark ritualistic tinged electronic artistry to reach out of the underground, Ex_Tension will be the ones to nail it right on the head.

I don't perceive any pop tendencies in what they do in the slightest which is massively appreciated and if bands like Implant Code or Sect had continued on instead of vanishing, Ex_Tension would be in good company. These acts would be their contemporaries but sadly, our French duo stand alone in a highly regarded yet thoroughly explored field of sounds. There is something to how their songs unfold as you listen to them which is all but absent in today's pitifully sugar stained 'scene'.

Ex_Tension's music is quite forceful, resplendently mechanized but it's not very innovative. I like what they do but they're continuing a tradition of high tech electro which is currently the property of Standeg. I've no idea what their other works sound like as this is all I've heard so perhaps this was merely them having a Homes and Gardens moment: deliberately going for a sound. You can hear enough quirks and tweaks in their designs for it to stay interesting; you won't hear anything new. Technically brilliant but creatively disappointing. Oct 05 2011