The Identity Matrix Presents: The Genre Dive
 

I had an idea...




An idea to create a journal in which I document my explorations of genres new to me, or genres that I only have a surface level understanding of. Which means basically all of them. Think of this like a bunch of book reports. I'll listen to the essential albums of each genre that I explore and possibly go deeper if I enjoy it. This post will get updated with everything I do. That includes album reviews, genre descriptions, and anything else I can think of. I'll focus on one genre at a time and may even come back to them If I feel the need to. Hopefully this is as fun as I think it will be. I will gladly take recommendations as well as criticism of any piece of this project. Hopefully you can take some these self contained journeys with me.


Current Genre Dive: Synthwave

Upcoming Genre Dive: Sludge Metal

So what are you listening to/have already listened to for sludge?

All time favorite synth anything album

I have listened to,

Torche, Black Tusk, Mastodon (Early), Baroness, Kylesa, and then a Melvins song here or there. I'll talk about it when we get there.

Plus I have a solid list to dive into.

Well then...

Eyehategod - Take as Needed for Pain
Corrosion of Conformity - Deliverance
Acid Bath - When the Kite String Pops
Buzzoven - Sore
Coffinworm - IV.I.VIII.
Down - I
Iron Monkey - Our Problem
Melvins - Houdini
Neurosis - Through Silver in Blood

Thank you Batlord. I will put these in the suggestion box.

And also I suggest it

Added Mondo....

I love that album too.

@TIM My synth recs are by composers rather than by synth bands.

Jean Michel Jarre - Equinoxe (1978)


Logic System - Logic (1981)
Japanese composer Hideki Matsutake

Thanks Nea. Added!

So I am actually not very informed on the nuances of electronic music. I could tell you the differences in rock music or a little bit of metal, but I got nothing on electronic styles. So with the push of some members here on this site, I have decided to dive into synthwave. Quite the interesting genre as it represents two major movements. One in the early to late 80s, the other from the later 2000s into the 2010s.

To start off, the early 80s movement actually represents a much more minimalist synthesizer based sound. The origins of the 80s movement can be found in the popular new wave and dark wave movements of the latter part of the 1970s. Overall the sound represents some of the earliest forms of techno music. Bands such as Depeche Mode and Psyche were adopters of this sound in their music.

The 2000s movement is quit a bit different. Synthwave nowadays means to embody the 80s futuristic vibe in all of its neon glory. Taking 80s science fiction and video game aesthetics to create quite a bombastic and epic sound. Quite intriguing is the liberal use of 80s references and styles especially when the original movement started in that time frame. Games such as Hotline Miami and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon embrace the style and sound of modern synthwave. Current stars of the genre include Perturbator, Mitch Murder and Carpenter Brut. This is the style I will be primarily focusing on but I will still touch on the 80s style.

Artists I plan to explore (Note: these do not include those in the suggestion box, I am not obligated to review or listen to anything in the suggestion box.)

Perturbator
Mitch Murder
Carpenter Brut
Wasted Doom
Fortification 55
Drown for Ressurection
Electric Youth

I will be posting album impressions (not full blown reviews, otherwise this would take forever) for everything I listen to. I won't be going in chronological order. However, I will mark which era they are from as well as any extra genres they fall under when providing impressions. This genre dive will be pretty organic in the same way one would explore any genre they are getting into. So I shall begin my journey. I hope to see you on the other side of cyberspace with neon lights flashing behind me.


I just want to say that the style and aesthetics of this genre really catch my eye. Hopefully the book matches the cover.

Entry #: 0001




Genre: Electronic

Style: Synthwave/Dark Synth

Artist: Perturbator

Country of Origin: France

Album: The Uncanny Valley

Year of Release: 2016

Notes: Yeah I realize Kiiii (briefly) looked at this record. But between Kiiii and Chiomara I have to start somewhere with all of this synthwave!

Impressions:

You can’t spell impressions without impress. This album did just that. This record embodies the style and sound of what the future would sound like to the people living in 1982. Neon lights, fast hover cars, cyberspace leaking out into the real world. The atmosphere and the world building this record accomplishes is mind boggling. The very first track, Neo Tokyo, takes you through a fantastic speedy voyage through what would be looked as a Ghost in the Shell ripoff. I tell you what, I love heavy beats, and speedy synths and Neo Tokyo is not one to disappoint in those regards. The next track, Weapons for Children, sets up a brooding heavy atmosphere. A little claustrophobia never hurt anyone and you can feel it on this track at times. I feel like I’m wandering through the world of Blade Runner. I will be coming back to that idea of feeling throughout this whole album. Because, I will tell you what… This album makes me feel.


The next track I want to mention is the fabulous mood setter, Femme Fatale (feat. Highway Star) (Quick Note: I will plan on exploring Highway Star in the future.) Honestly, this track feels like the type of song I expect to hear in a club from the distant future. A space bar, or exotic dancing club. Its got the groove, the atmosphere, the pace changes. The scene gets set and plays out for my ears. I love this track. The different brass and drums create such an enticing world for the listener to really sink their teeth into.


Disco Inferno is the next one on the list of notable songs. This was my first experience from this record because it got played in plug. This one is very epic. I get the word could be seen as cliche but holy smokes is this track soaring. The wonderful thing about this whole album really, and it is exemplified on this track, would be Perturbator’s, James Kent, sense of timing. It can be easy to get lost in the many tools at one’s disposal when constructing electronic music, at least I would think so. Instead on this record there is a pace that is comfortable for the listener, it kept me engaged the whole way through. I felt excited, relaxed, paranoid, claustrophobic, and just plain happy throughout the record. The emotions I got to feel really blew me away.


Another track I want to talk about is Diabolus Ex Machina. This one is pretty similar to Disco Inferno with the exception that it felt a little redundant at times. No album in my mind is perfect and this one certainly has its issues. Diabolus Ex Machina brings in some guitar soloing that, while cool at times, can feel a little off putting in the mix of things. I can’t deny the track itself though is still solid and I still enjoy it, just not as much as other tracks in a similar style. Skipping ahead, I want to make a special mention of the track Souls at Zero (feat. Astronoid). Astronoid released a fantastic atmospheric post rock/metal record last year. So their inclusion on the record both surprised me and excited me. I was expecting a little more instrumentation on this track. But instead I was presented with a pretty atmospheric and dark track. Astronoid's singer Brett Boland provides vocals on the track. Nothing special but they certainly add to the mix. The song overall progressed through many stages. Dark and brooding, accepting and understanding, at one point I imagined the characters of this song, (Note: this is not a concept album. At least to my knowledge it is not.) that showed up in my head to be relinquishing themselves to some higher being. I don’t know. It just sounded cool in my head. The final track, the title track of the album, is march through the staple sounds of the genre. I felt it embodied exactly what this genre has to offer in a neat little package.


Overall, the record is big, dark, epic, and executed fantastically. Sometimes I feel the tracks can feel a little too big for their own good. They become closer to space age style rather than that futuristic synthwave style. Once again, I am not in the least bit knowledgeable on the intricacies of the genre. I am learning. So far I have learned that this style of music has a lot of potential. I think this album on the couple of listens I have had with it is a great gateway into the genre. It certainly pulled me, an outsider, in rather quickly. I’ll have to come back to this one, but I think it is a great record.

Initial Score: The Uncanny Valley receives an 8.5 out of 10

Standout Tracks: Neo Tokyo, Femme Fatale (feat. Highway Star), Disco Inferno, Assault, Souls at Zero, The Uncanny Valley

Weaker Tracks: Diabolus Ex Machina, The Cult of 2112 (Neither of these tracks are bad per se, they just are the biggest offenders of the problems I had with the record overall)

Alright, you got me hooked. Now what? Well I know what's next. But you will have to wait until entry 0002 to find out. I hope you enjoyed the first part of this genre dive. Feel free to continue suggesting albums and artists. Also let me know what you think of the format for this journal. As always thanks for reading!

Great idea for a journal. Quite an undertaking. Talk to me when you get to prog rock (shocked gasp of surprise from everyone!) but if you're checking out JMJ at some point you need to include this all-time classic, one of the first ever fully synthesised albums, or something.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...lbum_cover.jpg

Good luck! I'll be watching with interest, like everyone.
This is kind of a much larger-scale "Love or Hate?" but without, um, me...
And good, too.
:thumb:

Perturbator is a master of his craft. You'll find something different to love from each of his albums. Good to hear you enjoyed one of his best

Huh, somebody gave me a vinyl copy of this album some time ago when they moved out-of-country and had to pass on their collection, I haven't listened to it yet, maybe I'll dig it out tonight.

Looking forward to this journal, write-ups look thorough and thought out so far.

Batlord's sludge suggestions are great start.

Only album I'd add to that list, and not just because I'm a fanboy, is Conan's Blood Eagle, which I think is an unbeatable example of balancing production and style for maximum impact.

Thanks for the suggestions Chula, and TH.

Looking at what i quickly heard from the two, it doesn't seem they would really fit in the synthwave section. I'll keep listening though just in case.


Thanks Kiiii for the kind words and the suggestion to dive into this genre.

Is minimal wave folded into synthwave? I can recommend a few of those.

Oh yeah, I did't necessarily mean for this one, but whenever you move on to electronic instrumental music or whatever. Just to keep it in mind.

Entry #: 0002




Genre: Electronic

Style: Early Synthwave/EBM (Electronic Body Music)

Artist: Wasted Doom

Country of Origin: Germany

Album: Anger Your Neighbours!!!

Year of Release: 1987

Notes: Electronic Body Music is the combination of punk music and early industrial to create a heavy synth sound. Very similar to the style of synthwave from Perurbator.

Impressions:

A lot less to talk about for this release. Just looking at the album cover you would think it was 1980s black metal or doom metal release, far from it however. The album is four tracks in length with the disc running about 20 minutes (19:58 to be exact). The first track that we get on this release is called Hot Rod. Quite a bit going on in this track. Industrial drums, low bass synths, more industrial samples, and vocals on top of that. Sort of sounds like a Nine Inch Nails demo if Trent Reznor was from Germany. Certainly an interesting piece, but nothing I have not heard before from bands that embrace the industrial sound fully. Very brooding overall but it feels like it is being pulled in two totally different directions, industrial and synthwave. The mix certainly can work as Perturbator illustrated in his music, but it leaves a little bit to be desired on this track.


The next track is a little different. Videogewalt is still embracing the industrial undertones but adding sampled conversation from some philosopher or something. I couldn't find where it is from, maybe you guys can. The vocals from the actual singer are almost post punk sounding to me. It is much more interesting in that regard. The randomness of the samples are keeping me on my toes though so that is cool. Overall, a better offering then Hot Rod.


I'll skip the third track, Hijacked Plane, and go straight to the final one, the third track is not that special. Found it boring to be honest. Prediction however, is where the record shines the most. The industrial undertones kind of feel a little more embraced in this track. I liked the bass line in this one compared to the others. It felt a little fresher to me I guess. I kind of wish the track was a little shorter though. It overstays its welcome at about the 4:30 mark. But other than that, solid track. Unfortunately I could not find a youtube video for this one, however the album is on Last.fm for those of you who still use the service.

So a bit of a step down in quality from yesterday but it still did enough to catch my attention for repeat listens. This early form of synthwave is like I said in my introduction to the genre, minimalist. Not nearly as big or bombastic as modern day synthwave. Those descriptors certainly don't mean anything to the quality of the music. As I am sure I will find great early synthwave, and bad modern synthwave. I just have to keep looking ;).

Initial Score: Anger Your Neighbors!!! receives a 5.8 out of 10

Standout Tracks: Prediction, Videogewalt

Weaker Tracks: Hijacked Plane

Thanks for reading. Hopefully we can get something a little better next time. Right now modern synthwave is edging out the 80s offering. But with only two albums looked at I'm sure we will find something in the near future.

Frownland, It can't hurt to look at it.

First off, I second, third, fourth, and fifth Mondo's suggestion. Here're some more

Carla Dal Forno - You Know What It's Like
Renaldo and the Loaf - Songs for Swinging Larvae
Suicide - Suicide
The Residents - Commercial Album
Minimal Man - The Shroud Of
Keith Fullerton Whitman - Generator
The Soft Moon - Deeper
Tuxedomoon - Desire

I have put them all in the suggestion box. Thanks! I will also bump up Mondo's suggestion on the listening list if you believe it is that good.

Entry #: 0003




Genre: Electronic

Style: Synthwave

Artist: Mitch Murder

Country of Origin: Sweden

Album: Interceptor

Year of Release: 2014

Notes: Nothing much to say other than the fact that I have heard this guy in plug once or twice.

Impressions:

Goodness gracious this stuff is infectious. I couldn’t stop listening to this one. I must have played this record three or four times over before I stopped to finally write this. Oh who am I kidding, I have it on in the background as I write this now. The sound of this album, while still in the style of synthwave has many more chillwave influences quieter, funkier, spacier. That is at least what I found from my research. With the two major albums that I have listened to so far I have come to the conclusion that modern synthwave artists are fantastic storytellers. You might be saying, “Well how could that be when the songs are primarily devoid of vocals.” I’ll tell you how. Atmosphere, mood, and association. Those three points will be touched on as we dive into these tracks.

The first one I want to talk about is the opener. Saturdays. That opening sample hits the nail on the head with my major points. The alarm, the opening synths, I personally associate that whole bundle of sound with how I would wake up on a saturday morning in the 80s. I don’t know if that is weird or not, but it certainly enhances the experience. The bouncing synths make me want to jump out of whatever seat I am currently sitting in and get something done. I love it.


Now let’s talk bass lines. High Performance has a “high performing” bass line. Sorry…. But anyway this song is funky and lovely. Fantastic soundtrack to my day. Sold me instantly. I could say more but I'm really lost for words on this one. It's fun, and that is what I am looking for in this kind of music. Further down the line we get a series of chilled tracks, Race Day, Interceptor, and Snow Crash. These three Just make me want to sit back and let the world pass me by. Taking in the scenery that is played out before me. Man this album is such a journey. Taking an ordinary soundtrack style to a very ordinary day is hardly the pinnacle of excitement. But Mitch Murder managed it.


Another standout track that I would like to point out would be Thanks for Playing. A video game inspired track. This would be the type of music you would hear at those arcades near the beaches in California or Florida. It is fantastic. I love the way it guides me through a montage of life in that area of the world. The sun shining, the people enjoying themselves, It really transports the listener to wherever the artist wants.


That sick bass line returns in the next track In the Fast Lane, but other than that I would say its more of the same as earlier tracks. I did enjoy the second to last track quite a bit though. That would be Nocturne. The soundtrack to my day continues with me, by myself looking up at the night sky. No one to bug me or intrude. It's beautiful. The final track also sounds fairly similar so I find it about on par with the rest of the album for not doing anything really new.


I loved the progression of this album. It took me places that I had never been to before and yet they felt so familiar. This album felt a lot more real to me compared to the Perturbator album. Though I find the setting of that one equally interesting. This music simply invigorates and inspires. Yeah some ideas seem to be a little overused here and there, but it certainly is not a deal breaker, at least for me. The feeling, atmosphere, mood, all coalesce into a story. A story about people living their lives and chasing their dreams. I wish I could be these people and live out one of Mitch Murder's little fantasies that he has dreamt up here. Overall this album is a great one. I would recommend this album to anyone who even remotely enjoys electronic music to give this one a shot. I'll be listening to this one many more times in the future.

Initial Score: Interceptor receives a 8.2 out of 10

Standout Tracks: Saturdays, The Touch, Snow Crash, Thanks for Playing, Nocturne

Weaker Tracks: Race Day, Breakazoid, Traces to Nowhere

Both of the modern synthwave albums I have looked at here have been recomended to me by Kiiii and Chiomara. So thank them for getting me started.

No problem my dude. You've been really diggin it the way I thought you would. It's a fun genre.

I owe you an apology. Due to my lack of focus I unfortunately missed this post. I was not intentionally ignoring you. Sorry about that, and thank you for the suggestion. I'll add it to the suggestion box.

Entry #: 0004




Genre: Electronic

Style: Synthwave

Artist: Carpenter Brut

Country of Origin: France

Album: Trilogy (EP 1, EP 2, EP 3)

Year of Release: 2015 (2012, 2013, 2015)

Notes: Ok a couple of things. This album is actually a compilation of all three of Carpenter Brut’s EPs. I will be reviewing them all in one post due to me listening to them via the Trilogy album. Carpenter Brut is another one of the recommendations from Kiiii and Chiomara so this review is “sponsored” by them. The only real background I have for this guy is that he was played a couple of times in plug. I dug it then, and spoiler alert: I dig it now.

Impressions:

This one is kind of all over the place. The three EPs sort of have a distinct flow that is unique to them. They kind of work smashed together as one long album, but I would much rather review them separately and then give one final score for Trilogy. I’ll start with a few general thoughts and then I will dive deep into the three EPs. First and foremost, It seems to me that the overall style of these EPs are very different between each other. They flow well on their own, but sound very much like a compilation when put together. Not a bad thing, just something I noticed. This album seems to have a lot of progressive tendencies. The live drumming and guitar parts definitely add to the mix, as I will explain later on. I really did not hate anything, but there were a few I found a little redundant when it came to what I have already heard in the genre.


Alright let's get started with EP 1.


This one is kind of a mixed bag when it comes to overall quality. I found about half the disc to be decent and the other half to be really good. Tracks like Escape from Midwich Valley, and Wake up the President fall into a little cliche territory with the way things are mixed. Decent enough sound, just I have seen other electronic artists do the same thing at about the same level. There is a mix of the chilled vibes of Mitch Murder, and the fast paced soaring melodies of Perturbator. Sometimes the mix works in tracks like Disco Zombi Italia, and 347 Midnight Demons (a personal highlight from the whole set). A lot of what Carpenter Brut is doing here feels solid. I kind of wish he added a little more experimentation or something different to the mix. Songs like Le Perve and L.A. Venice Bitch 80s are really close to being fantastic but settle to just being solid. It's a good start overall and It makes me want to explore more of what this guy has got to offer.


Now for EP 2


This is where it really gets good. I feel like on this EP, Brut gets into a groove and he never falls out. Seriously this disc is just hit after hit after hit. I especially loved the synth prowess on tracks like Meet Matt Stryker, and Hang ‘em All. The drumming is excellent on a lot of these tracks as well. I really dig the stuff off of tracks like Sexkiller on the Loose. The live drumming just really brings the tracks to new life. Obituary is probably the most chilled out from the bunch. It reminds me a lot of what Mitch Murder was doing with his more chilled out stuff. I love it alot. Really the lack of world building the first two EPs have shown really surprise me. There isn’t really a time or place that I can connect to any of these songs. It bothers me a little but it isn’t a dealbreaker for any of these songs really. Roller Mobster and Looking for Tracy Tzu would be the lowlights of this disc. They are great tracks, but I’m not feeling as excited when I listen to them. Overall this is easily the best of the three EPs, not a dud in the bunch on this one.


And finally EP 3


This one has probably the best song on the Trilogy compilation and the worst song. Paradise Warfare is a killer track. Progressive, heavy at times, the drumming is top notch. Everything I could not ask for anything more. This is probably the first time on this compilation where I started to feel some world building going on. Division Ruine (another excellent piece) leading into Paradise Warfare allows for Brut’s world to come into view. Sunsetting, a city in the distance, something similar to the cover art mostly. Now I did mention that this EP had the worst track out of all of them. That one would be Invasion A.D. It just feels redundant to me. He doesn’t really do anything new with this track compared to others. The chilled out moments feel rather boring compared to tracks like Obituary from the second EP. Overall though, the quality of the third EP is just under that of the second. Anarchy Road, Turbo Killer, and Run, Sally, Run! all round out the EP with solid groovy and fast paced synth work.


Overall, on an individual level these EPs are great. They all have a bit of uniqueness to them. It’s like watching an athlete improve over three seasons in a sport, the quality of play keeps going up and it’s exciting to watch (or listen to). As a whole though the Trilogy compilation accomplishes a mighty feat. While not necessarily flowing as well as a studio album per se, it provides a fantastic look into the mind of a growing warrior of the synth. This is the culmination of growth and hard work. It is about the music for this guy and I love that. I hope to hear more of his work in the future.


Initial Score: Trilogy receives an 8.2 out of 10

Standout Tracks: 347 Midnight Demons, Le Perve, Meet Matt Stryker, Obituary, Hang ‘em All, Division Ruine, Paradise Valley

Weaker Tracks: Wake up the President, Invasion A.D.

A little shorter on the overall thoughts of each track for this one. Just the sheer amount of content I needed to cover in a single post forced me to cut down a bit. I would be happy to discuss these further with anyone who wishes to. Thanks for reading, and I hope for those of you that are new to the genre like myself, will give this guy a shot.

Synthwave is always such a fun genre to dive into. There's definitely been some "progression" in the genre over the last few years, which has led to critical acclaim for The Midnight, Trevor Something and FM-84 in particular. I'd recommend checking out this list as a reference point in your journey as you approach the present. :)

NewRetroWave.com - Top Ten Synthwave Albums of 2016