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Artist: ARTIFEX
Album: Suspension of Disbelief
Year: 2009
I'm opening this review with a quote from this band's webpage ; "Suspension of Disbelief is a preview of the new Artifex record for press, labels and producers only". I think this line explains everything about this four track EP already, and of course us beeing press mosquitos have been given acces to this release. Some information about the band - Artifex is a three piece from Bologna, Italy (including the former bass player of Italian death metal band Natron) and was formed in 1997. The band describes its sound as a fusion of hardrock and industrial, with elements from electronic stuff, rock and crossover.
'Brainflush' is the first track of this release. It consists of strong repetitive riffing, atmospheric keylines, a bouncing bassline and wellfitting electronic samples and drumming. The vocal lines, clean though a little raw here and there, fit the wave song structure excellently. 'Emptiness' is a little more accessable. It mixes sensitive, sometimes even grunchy vocal lines with wicked drumming and innovative guitarwork, including a nice guitar solo, and minimal sampling. 'Room 453' follows. It's a pretty dark track, build on strong drumming and a protounding bassline. The diversity within the guitarwork is an essential part of this song, and the song is musically wise in good harmony with the diverse vocal lines. 'The Ultimate Display' is already the final track of this sneak preview. It's a more quiet track, very atmospheric, including a strong riff and bashing drumming. Overall this song is build on a moving bassline and wellfitting (sometimes even harmonized?) vocal lines, combined with a decent song structure.
Despite the fact that this band is already active for over ten years, I didn't hear of them before - and after hearing this EP I'm starting to regret this. This band shows decency in their music, and manages to invent experimental though surprisingly cool riffing at times - without disbanding original atmospheres or song structures. People who are more into the easy listening part of the industrial / electro metal genre, including bands such as Volkmar and the recently reviewed Substance-D - as well people still craving back to the old school gothic influenced stuff will definitely dig this.
Vote: 85 / 100
Review by: Gerardo
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1. Brainflush
2. Emptiness
3. Room 453
4. The Ultimate Display
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