MP3DB.pro - Slow Soldier - New Under The Volt (2007)

Slow Soldier's "New Under The Volt" is an album equally suited
for a IDM dancefloor mix, a breakneck road trip or a urban
commute amongst wires, concrete, steel and the omnipresent haze
of artificial light.
With tonal qualities reminiscent of 8-bit video gaming, the album
gives the listener the feeling of being immersed in the
soundtrack that should have been to the arcade games of the
eighties. Furthermore tribal influences abound, seamlessly
weaving the digital divide into a neon jungle that even "Donkey
Kong" would be proud to call home and there are clear hints of a
rhythmic noise and electro-industrial character, detectable in
the sometimes subtle use of distortion and syncopation within.
This combination of styles impresses a feeling of unity
throughout, nevertheless avoiding uniformity in the sheer range
and variety of tracks.
At times the repetition of samples can become monotonous but it
stops short of being discordant, eventually retreating again into
a coalescent progression. Moreover the artist clearly extended
intensive effort in layering this album with each sound
distinctly presenting itself without being distant or muddled.
With skillful use of delays, panning and reverb which all too
easily can become cacophonous, Slow Soldier manages to create a
spacious environment while preserving the intricate melodic and
cohesive structures intended. However, often low end and bass
frequencies are not fully realized giving some tracks a tinny and
often unfinished feel. This can be mostly compensated for with
proper equalization but should have drawn greater consideration
in the mastering stage.
Despite its drawbacks you will find yourself nodding your head
congruously with each successive listen. Even the most cynical
ear will find tracks that they admire academically, emotively
empathy and drift dreamily with. And, just when you think have
heard everything this album has to offer, you stumble upon the
tongue-in-cheek video locked within its recesses. Tinging this
release with a new color of humor and quite possibly an excess of
insight into its authors. If you have grown tired of banal beats
and similar sounds then "New Under The Volt" is the refreshing
break that you are looking for: particular, pleasurable and
worthy of partaking.