AIBOFORCEN, the pioneering Belgian dark electro act led by Benoit Blanchart, returns with a brand-new 9-track EP, “Break The Black Ice”. Expanding on the sonic world of their latest album “Between Noise & Silence”, this release brings a fresh dimension to the band’s signature fusion of brooding atmospheres, powerful synth-driven beats, and stellar vocal collaborations.
Break The Black Ice (single edit) (Death In June cover): I was already astonished about this version when I reviewed the album. To start with: it’s not something to be expected if you know the original. This version is a complete reworked one with a colder / electronical attitude and sung by a women (thus changing it totally): Patrice Synthea. I’m wandering wat hardcore fans think about this one?
If you go to this link: Break The Black Ice EP | AIBOFORCEN | Alfa Matrix (you can actually se the real clip for this song).
Executions feat. Noemi Aurora (single edit) takes us back again to the younger VNV Nation/Combichrist with modern blips and beats and an up-tempo track. It’s clear that this was meant to be a clubber! It’s also a nice duet (Jan Dieckmann (Norderney), unlike the album version.
Dead End feat. Mari Kattman (ep mix), well the original was a great upbeat track and Mari really has a great voice! This newer version takes a bit off the charm that the original one had (makes it sound a bit colder).
Descent feat. Sorrow Stories wasn’t on the previous album (it's a brand new one) and when I listen to it I must admit I’m not a fan of this song, although I know Sorrow Stories (Tina Forlorn) delivers great tracks this one is not it. The music is great but somehow the vocals don’t blend in and sound too much like recorded from too far away. The synch didn’t work out or so? I don’t know, but it doesn’t sound well.
Apart (remix) (The Cure cover) is a gamble as a cover. The conversion of the music is great, but once again I feel the vocals are missing fine tuning (in the higher notes). Fragility and high notes need mastering (for sure around the chorus).
Dead End feat. Mari Kattman (re-alfa-ized version by Imjudas): well the original version was really it. Not sure if adding male vocals here was necessary. This new version just kills it, it kills all the good stuff from the original. It's as if somebody took the power away from the song, added some minor things and put the sound also less louder. I know for sure IMJUDAS can do (and did better in the past).
Desperate Waltz (river of dreams part 2) shows that Jan Dieckmann has a great voice and can also take over an electronical waltz, however he really sounds a bit likeArno(the rawness in his voice).
Break The Black Ice (Death In June cover). Read my original review of this one here: “Break The Black Ice sounds a bit better in the vocal range, whilst the music is really top: it sets the title so to speak with both feet into the reality. It’s also a great cover as the original belongs to Death In June. Vocals are sung by Patrice Synthea. Extra news: there was a first slower version that they recorded and which will be featured on the 7-cd box Resurgence out in the next months on Spleen+.”
Executions. Read my original review here: “Executions has nice vocals that reminding me a bit of the younger VNV Nation/Combichrist. But it is none other but Jan Dieckmann (Norderney) on vocals, The sound is very modern whilst the song has a good tempo.”
Well: the EP has ups and downs. I don’t see why one should by this one if you already have the triple CD version of the previous album or you must be a collector/great fan. Maybe buy some individual tracks? However the price is cheap, so it can still swing both ways.
Check the full album review here: SNOOZECONTROL - AIBOFORCEN - Between Noise & Silence (alfa matrix)
Check our interview here: SNOOZECONTROL - Benoit Blanchart (Side-Line/Alfa Matrix & Aiboforcen)
