CD, Tympanik Audio, 2009
disharmony.aliens.sk
If the favourable curriculum vitae of remix work this little-known act carries under its belt (for well-respected and established artists within the IDM, electro and ambient fields, including the likes of Fractional, Totakeke and the legendary Flint Glass) doesn’t provide the necessary impetus for you to investigate them further, then you are living behind a veil of mediocrity. “Evolution”, the duo’s follow-up to 2007’s “Malignant Shields” will effectively blow the cobwebs away.
Combining careful down-tempo (a pleasant change from the 140+ BPM idiocy that infects many producers in related genres) construction techniques with some seriously harsh industrial sound manipulation results in hugely listenable, yet severely trauma-laced dark electro that easily stands out against a backdrop of generic terror-EBM quasi-music. In many ways, this release triggers similar responses to Haujobb: heavily emphasised atmospheres, carefully structured percussive lines and great attention to detail are all hallmarks of this Slovakian duo’s efforts. The growling vocals, however, manifest comparisons more in keeping with the likes of Mentallo & The Fixer – stormy, brooding intensity with a propensity for violence being held barely in check, overlaid with subtle, almost delicate melodies. This lack of experimentation could be seen in a negative light, however – surely two musicians exhibiting such technical and creative capabilities could have extended themselves further on the matter of vocal treatment than the bass mutterings that dominate the record?
That point aside, “Evolution” is a lovely addition to my collection. It may not feature the next big dancefloor filler, but an older, wiser audience cannot fail to sit up and take notice. Taken as individual tracks, or in its entirety, dISHARMONY have, indeed, evolved on this album, taking their compositions one step further towards enlightenment than many of their contemporaries would dare to.
[8.5/10]
— David vander Merwe