Stahlnebel & Black Selket - Bloody Rain

Stahlnebel & Black Selket is a dark electro, industrial, futurepop music project from Germany/Netherlands. The 'Bloody Rain' EP contains new club tracks and remixes from Detroit Diesel, Distorted Memory, A7IE and more. An EP with more than 73 minutes playing time which is part of the projects build up to their next album called "Noise".

Originally the EP was set to contain the band's cover of the Depeche Mode track "It's no good", unfortunately permission was denied by EMI. However, I am including the track in my review.

"Bloody Rain" reminds me of what drew me to Dark Electro music. The track has melody, rhythm, a heavy dance beat, and has a techno influence. The harsh vocals are clear and clean as are the synth lines and much to my taste. "Heart Of Stone (feat. Ivana Anic)" delivers some really heavy beats from the start. Again clear screams, but then the fantastic voice of Ivana kicks in, giving a great contrast. Great melody and we have an excellent floor-filler.

The stomping continues with "Dem Tod Geweiht (Fukushima)", nice samples and vocals. The dance continues with some more great synths and rhythm. The techno influence is very apparent, making it great Harsh EBM. The "Last Scream (Original Version)" continues with very much the same successful formula, delivering another danceable track. Some great music, and however hard it gets there is still loads of rhythm and melody, so it bounces from start to finish.

Techno sounds abound from the start with "Black Threat (Detroit Diesel Remix)". This one is industrial-techno just made for the club by Detroit Diesel. Great synths meant for dancing and vocals to suite.

Alien Produkt deliver a fast and melodic mix in "Memories (Alien Produkt Remix)", with loads of rhythm, another good dance track. "Missbraucht (feat. Johan Van Roy) (Cold Sequence Remix)" is class electro-industrial music. It's harsh, the vocals are raspy, it's well layered and the futurepop sounding synths give it a great melody and it's trance like in parts making it another floor filler.

"Bloody Rain (Die Braut Remix)" is a dark electro remix again perfect for the dance floor. A lot of techno which keeps it bouncing along it's merry way. A great remix from a great track. "Staatssicherheit (Syndicat Remix)" is more of the same aggressive beats and sounds, but don't think I'm bored for a second, just bounce along with it.

"Missbraucht (feat. Johan Van Roy) (Distorted Memory Remix)" is perhaps a more intelligent remix with profound dark electro synths and a heavy fast drum beat. Distorted Memory also give it a tribal feel, so you can't say there's no variation. "Black Threat (ES23 Remix)" and we are straight back on the dance floor with this dark electro remix, which is techno like and as aggressive as ever.

"Memories (Retractor Remix)" contains some good hard beats, but I really don't like the tinkling on the ivories sound that pervades it. But overall another good dark electro dance remix. We finish the EP with "Missbraucht (feat. Johan Van Roy) (Dance Musick By A7IE)". I thought maybe this was one track too far and I had heard enough but then suddenly it bursts to life and me with it, heavier than ever, and very much still danceable too.

In addition I will mention the "It's No Good" Depeche Mode cover. It's very different from the original, it would be given the dark electro treatment. A nice melody coming from the original track. This really works in places for me but in others not, the problem being in the vocals sounding off. But, if you get the chance to hear it, it's still worth the effort as it makes a little slower but a nice dance remix.

Conclusion:
Someone is going to say its' not very original, but it's so enjoyable personally I couldn't give a damn. So original it may not be, but there is still more than enough variation to keep me entertained. They know how to deliver some great hard beats and tracks made for the dance floor, this is what it's made for. Of note too are the vocals which are clear with only a hint of distortion. My highlights are the opener and title track "Bloody Rain" and "Heart of Stone", made so special by Ivana Anic. One thing I must say about this EP is that it's fun and will give a lot of people a lot of pleasure because they will look and treat it for what it is, and for what is meant to be.

I have never given anyone a ten yet, this came close to it, but still not quite good enough to be the first. So when do we get the album, as I believe it has been delayed? Jun 22 2012