Nanochrist
Mythelectronicon
6.4
I generally have enjoyed the seemingly perfect match of techno/heavy metal and its video game music like result. Fear Factory’s and Avulsed’s remix albums were satisfying slabs of cyber metal with often heavier than the original programmed percussion, so after reading the flyer for Nanochrist’s Mythelectronicon, I was hoping for something very similar.
Not this complete , total and all consuming garbage..
Without wondering too far into fellow reviewer Chris Sessions like heights of superb literary swipes, this is horrendous-as sort of Cyber/Nu-metal/ with lots of programmed samples, pulsing electronic drum beats and the backbone of any cyber metal album-beeping sounds. Stylistically not to far from recent popular Danes Mnemnic, but without a single noteworthy moment in its entire buzzing, whirring, techno paced cyber crapiness.
Unfortunately the score scale above doesn’t not allow negative scores, but suffice it is to say Mythelectronicon is an early contender for worst album of the year (is that Bestial Mockery sighing with a chainsaw like heave I hear?). OK, so they can play instruments (which mainly consists of running programmed beats and loops), which is more than I can do, so they are saved from a scathing score there, but other wise, their forced futuristic burpings are little more than Nintendo game backing music with some guitars and horrid vocals (Nu metal screams and snide clean distorted crooning). Orgy has some competition. Go listen to the Mad Capsule Markets if you want this style done right.
Even the robotic ambience that should be delivered by the heavy emphasis on programming and mechanical striding riffs is rendered as tinny and has as much weight as a midi recorded track on a Compaq laptop. None of the usual themed tracks offer any substance whatsoever, alternating from Fear Factory like pseudo metal to tribal beat laced filler, that has more in common with the music compilation albums you see advertising obscure one beat European trance/techno artists that no-one listens to on this continent.
I could tolerate shitty songs if the mix of the guitars and normally pounding beats of techno were at least moderately hefty, but even on the album's most aggressive cut “Beautiful Leviathan”, the mix is so bad, its promising riff is all but deconstructed. Even the promisingly titled “Vomitorum” and its merely acceptable riff is ruined by a thick layer of off key vocals and a saturation buzzing. “Pi” even tries a Burton C. Bell like introduction of clean angelic vocals, horridly implemented. The track “Manufacture” is so annoying, I actually tore off my headphones during it’s (hopefully) purposefully discordant first few bars and wretched vocals. And I’m pretty sure its mid point solo is the worst I’ve ever heard. To add salt to the already gaping wound, Nanochrist felt it necessary to draw out this sonic torture for the duration of 12 tracks clocking in at about an hour, with the last spasm inducing track “You Meant I Thought She Said” lasting nine painful yet thankfully mostly instrumental minutes.
One of the pleasures of writing reviews for a webzine is getting to discover new talent and hungry talented acts with energy and something to give the genre. One of the pitfalls is having to repeatedly listen to garbage like this and try to write objectively about it. With Nanochrist I simply can’t, Mythelectronicon is a failure on every level and I hope the band and label is never heard from again.
