MARCO'S TOP ALBUMS OF 2012 - #23 (Part 1 of 23)

Here we are, the countdown proper has started.

If you haven't forgotten already the little intro posted yesterday, you would have noticed that I insist on saying that the actual spotlight of the whole electro/industrial/ebm should be focused on bands coming from the UK and North America mostly, and in fact at #23 we find British newcomers CEASE2XIST, who manage to deliver a pretty solid and convincing debut even if still producing inside a genre that has been rotting for five years already: harsh ebm.

But considering "You Are Expendable" a mere harsh ebm album would do it no real justice: even if you will find distorted vocals and saw leads, they are used with intelligence and taste, and I think that at least some of the most creative arrangements have to be credited to Séamus Bradd, who's known also for The .Invalid, which I cited already in the honorable mentions. The abrasive vocal approach of singer Dayve Yates, reminiscent of the only GREAT singer in harsh ebm, Erk of Hocico, helps a whole lot in keeping the interest high in each song, even if I would suggest to put more attention in the vocal production in the upcoming releases, and generally trying and bring it more up to the front of the mix.

Let me say again: in a genre that did the whole scene more harm than good, Cease2xist stand out and show lots of potential for future evolutions, which I'll surely keep an eye for.

Suggested listening: Not All Is Wrong, Tonight, Occupy Everything, Faint Glimmer Of Hope.