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MALAISE Hypnotized By Forgotten Lies EP
Ultrachrome Records (2006)
Looking at Malaise's Hypnotized By Forgotten Lies EP, I was intrigued
as to what sort of music it may contain. A very mysterious black cover
that gives very little away. From the name Malaise I assumed it was
likely to be either Goth or doom.
As it turns out this 5 track CD is Gothic metal with a bit of EBM. It
reminds me of the Sisters of Mercy, although some Nine Inch Nails have
gone into the mix. Based on what they have produced on Hypnotised By
Forgotten Lies, I wouldn't say that Malaise are particularly innovative
but it's pleasant enough to listen to. I think it would be popular in
the Goth/EBM clubs - it is commercial but only up to a point, it's not
something that may appeal to the average, say, Marilyn Manson fan. It's
less catchy.
I do like what Malaise have done on the fourth track, Little Girl Of
Mine.
They have mixed a Nine Inch Nails techno rhythm with some soft female
vocals and mournful sounding synth, which is not something I personally
have heard before. Other than that, I cannot say that the EP is
particularly out of the ordinary and I prefer to hear something a
little more different.
The overall impression give by the EP is one of sadness but
unfortunately it is not styled to suit my taste so it didn't provoke
much of a reaction from me. It may be that Goths like it. EBM fans may
like it if their taste includes the likes of Gary Numan's Pure, since
that is emotionally evocative EBM, whereas a lot of EBM is less so.
Malaise are a Swedish band who began as a one-man project of Martin
Danielsson's in 1989, and their current line-up also consists of Kim
Blomkvist (Therion, Internal Decay) on bass and Ronnie Bäck (Nocturnal
Notion, Aether) on guitar. They have released a mini-CD and two albums,
and Hypnotized By Forgotten Lies is their second EP.
**½
Review by Amanda Hyne
Hypnotized By Forgotten Lies is available from 24 February 2006 from
Ultrachrome records, distributed by Sound Pollution Distribution -
Website
Band website
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