Grendel - Timewave: Zero

I have never been such an underground guy like some are. I like songs, how extreme they might be sonicwise, to have a catchy hook. This is something my fellow countrymate Jos is very good in, and here he proves once again he's got that vibe inbedded in his genes.

This is the fourth album from Grendel already, and its very suprising to hear what he has accomplished compared to his first album "Inhuman amusement". The production on Timewave: Zero is extremely good. Its very refreshing to hear an EBM album with such an open spacious sound. Most EBM albums tend to be very muddy soundwise, so its nice to be able to hear everything for once.

What i also like is the incorporation of sounds from modern dance. Like the dirty dutch house leads in "EPR // EDP" for instance, the electro like lead on "Out of my mind" and the trancy leads in most other songs. All this while still maintaining a solid EBM underground in drums and basslines.

The biggest suprise to me is "Deep Waters" with Lis from the Dutch futurepop band Misery on vocals. She has one of the best female voices in current EBM/Futurepop, and what she does here together with Grendel is simply astonishing. This is EBM pop at the highest level. I think the two should make a whole album together.

All in all "Timewave: Zero" is a must have release for lovers of good dancefloor oriented EBM. Its a very solid album with quite some potential clubhits and all songs are perfect examples of how good modern dance, EBM and even pop can fit together if done right. The epic anthem "Neon City Nights" is possible the best example of this. Personally this is a benchmark release for EBM for me, and one that is hard to topple for the competition. Jun 19 2012