Neuro-Sentence - The Shores of Anhedonia

A relatively new record label is already making some noise in the scene, coming out and attempting to show the world that they know good music when they hear it. And that label would be Xperiment XIII, based over in Australia and headed by Clive Rae. Offering a pay what you want 36 track compilation in September of last year, the label has shown an ear for talent within the industry.

It wasn't until another five months before the label would put out the first album on their soon to be expanding roster, and that album would be Neuro-Sentence's The Shores of Anhedonia. This was originally an EP made back in 2009, but after receiving little to no fanfare, the album was at it's final chord of life. That was until in 2011, when a DJ began spinning Dominion that Neuro-Sentence got the cult following they needed. Inspired, they went back into the studio and made the EP into a full length album in 2013. Fortunately, at the same time, XIII was looking for bands to sign, and they were lucky to nab this sexy release of epic proportions.

Enough of a history lesson; let's talk about the music. Each song is filled with electronic Gothic bliss, with such deeply haunting vocals that'll creep straight up your spine and tickle your senses. You'll swear you should be in a creepy castle where Dracula is waiting to sink his razor sharp teeth into your neck around each and every corner.

The beats themselves are medium paced, not being too fast to destroy the amazingly talented voice going extremely well with the music, but also not too slow to bore you out to oblivion. Dominion (Subjugate) is the first song on the album, and it's the first one to absolutely hook you to the music. You'll listen to this one song and, as it hypnotizes you, each stretch of the song will sink you into a trance, .

This is one album where not a single part of any song is skippable; since getting it a few days ago, I've listened to the whole thing twice. And I'm on my third go through as we speak. I don't care if this is what being a nerd feels like; I'll obsess over this album for as long as it continues to melt my heart with it's evil sounds.

To say it short, this is one hell of a joy ride all the way through. This band has taken their pledge to the Gothic style and hammered it down to the floor. I make no joke when I say this is my second favorite release in 2014 as of now. Xperiment XIII has got a hit with this band, and now the label is on my radar. I can't wait to take a listen to what comes out from their depths in the future. Feb 20 2014