Freakangel - Porcelain Doll

Freakangel is an Estonian aggrotech/industrial project formed in 2009. The band is signed to Alfa Matrix and has released two albums 'The Faults Of Humanity' and 'Let It All End'. 'Porcelain Doll' is an eleven track EP set for release on the 26th October 2012. It includes two tracks "A Dozen New Scars", and "Porcelain Doll", the title track, along with nine remixes of that track.

"Porcelain Doll (Album Version)" makes an impressive start, a female vocal sample, leading into heavily distorted male vocals by Dmitry D. Good aggressive dark electro, with a good beat, melody, and most impressive the background guitar use. Next we have "Porcelain Doll (Suicidal Romance Remix)", Suicidal Romance also being a project of Dmitry D. This makes you realise just how aggressive the album version is. This is so melodic with the aggressive edge just taken off the vocals and features some really scrumptious keyboard work, it sparkles with charm and class.

Formalin bring us something more industrial in "Porcelain Doll (Formalin Remix)". A heavy and aggressive pounding beat is very central to the track, and must be a track for the club. A good electro remix. The "Skyla Vertex Remix" continues with another more industrial sound, they seem to have dissected this even further, and sewn it back together in some ungodly fashion. Creating a freak that still functions and works in some kind of melodic dystonic way.

The "Porcelain Doll (3 Passengers Left Remix)" is by Arseni also of Cold in May from Belarus. The main feature is the nice use of piano and combined with vocoder it works well when used. Guitars are a feature once again on this mix. All round he has created a good dark music listening experience with tons of atmosphere. "Porcelain Doll (Forgotten Sunrise Remix)" is by another band from Tallinn, Estonia. Again seems another attempt to create more atmosphere through it's ambient sounds. Doesn't quite work for me, but I have a feeling that those who like their music with a touch of dark ambient about it will appreciate it with it's dark and hypnotic melody.

The "Porcelain Doll (Tesla Coil Remix)" brings another distinct change with some dramatic synth sounds to greet us along with pounding beat, so immediately we know it's another remix ready for the club. The vocals really scream at you in this one in places. Has a touch of techno about it giving a more aggrotech sound. Features also some good guitar work and one of best remixes so far. The "Freaky Mind Remix" by Moscow's Freak Mind is given a slightly softer touch but is still harsh by most standards. Adding extra dimensions to the track, with a good synth melody which also makes for a more dramatic sound. Behind the screaming is sound that could even be described as symphonic and orchestral.

The most striking feature of "Porcelain Doll (Incubute Remix)" is the synths, including the beat. They give the horrorscape an even more creepy feel and work well with the screaming distorted vocals. The beat is like a real pulse and has the effect of one. The last remix is "Porcelain Doll (Dawn of Ashes Remix)", bringing industrial metal to the track. They start in dramatic fashion with noise, drum beats and vocals, seeming to slow things down a little, by using that drum beat. Pounding synths and good use of the previously featured female sample is made as it echoes eeerily all around. Uses the sample also in conjunction with noise, an excellent drum beat and high pitched synths which is extremely effective.

In "A Dozen New Scars" we are met by a single drum beat and screeching guitars. Very death metal in sound, the guitars drive it and the vocals are more aggressive and in places more distorted than ever. I prefer the more melodic drum beat driven parts in amongst all the metal where the vocals are really good and piano combines with guitar.

Conclusion:
Simply if you like dark electro, you are going to like this as it set's a real high standard. Porcelain Doll is a good track itself and all nine remixes have been chosen well and each one brings something different to the EP in terms of structure and sound. My highlight is the "Suicidal Romance Remix" as for all the distorted vocals and aggression, it is still a thing of beauty. I feel that I also need to mention the "Tesla Coil Remix" again as it contrasts against the "Suicidal Romance Remix" so well, and impressed me greatly with it's more aggrotech elements. Sep 29 2012