Includes Featured Artists:
HV - Programming / Vocals
Spellgoth - Vocals
Infection - Vocals
N. Sevänen - Vocals
Amidst the metallic beauty of Finland lies a dark creature that mixes, blends and concocts strange musical feasts of metal and technology and atmosphere. Scorngrain have presented me with their latest release, ‘Utopia.Paranoia.Perversions’ for review. Scorngrain have released this album as a digital release. Originally, they issued this for free along with the Miasma Magazine back in December 2010. My mind was blown away after reviewing their previous album, ‘0,05%’ and
with this new release, I can only hope it’s just as good.
Satan Is My Co-Pilot - It is only because I have heard and reviewed these guys before that I knew to expect a heavy metal - rave infusion. They have definitely increased their programming to a new level of mind fuck and it goes perfectly well with the title of this track. If only all raves were filled with this style of music and not poppy, repetitive, techno shit then I might actually attend one. The pace is fairly fast and the overall atmosphere is dark and heavy. The vocals are laced with effects and are not quite deathly but are of a grunty yet clean demeanour. It’s always refreshing to hear something out of the norm and this is a great introduction to the album.
Utopia.Paranoia.Perversions - Here we have the title track off the album and it starts out with some atmospheric, trippy effects. The pace gradually increases to an upbeat level and will capture both your mental and physical being. The vocals bear somewhat of a deathly tone. You will either find yourself dancing around your immediate area or laying down, drifting off to a new dimension within your mind. Either way, it will be enjoyed as you discover many levels to escape to.
“The last seven years, World war three and false Armageddon, Months and months of harsh times to welcome the age of the goat...”
Bloodrush - I am having to listen to these tracks again and again as I am being so seriously distracted by the content and shooting off amidst my imagination! This track starts out trippy and heavy and upbeat. There are death style vocals in here adorned with effects. The pace in this one varies though regains its intensity after it drifts. One of the many wonderful things about this style of music, is you don’t need to take drugs in order to trip out and escape to it. Simply tune in to tune out and enjoy the ride.
Age Of Disgust - This next one has a slower pace and is more concentrated upon the mind. Assuming you have been listening to this in its entirety, you should be somewhere amidst the clouds by now. (Unlike me who must stop and start track by track as I do this.) When I let myself go with the music, as you should, I don’t find it loud as such as I do overwhelming. This, in the sense, that it can easily take a hold of your senses and force your mind into other realms. Be not afraid of where it takes you, simply let yourself go and relax; even if you are upright and dancing your ass off! This is the beauty of this album; as made with technology as it is, there is such basic and natural human emotion and passion behind this, that it is able to captivate the listener so intensely.
Cat O’Nine Tails - Here we have the shortest track on the album at 02:47 and the pace has increased. It is overall more of an industrial sounding track. If you aren’t all ready up and thrashing around, this one will surely whip you into gear.
“Shiny vinyl – the theme for tonight, Dildo deep in its place, Blinkers covers the sight, Slave faces a massive dong...”
Dead Man’s March – A mystifying introduction enraptures the listener and glides them into a world beyond worlds. You will find yourself encumbered by musical waves crashing down upon you. At 01:18 the music takes a dramatic shift where you will suddenly awaken and find yourself somewhere completely different to where you thought you were. At 01:49 it blends back in to the original melody and you will once again fall victim to its lure. This track has many structural shifts and changes. At 02:20 it changes again. It’s much like falling in and out of consciousness. At 03:05 the entire track takes on a directional shift with echoing footsteps and a man whistling. Then a circus style melody begins its bizarre presentation. This then merges back in with the music. It really makes for a great psychosis representation; falling in and out of medicated consciousness. An interesting track!
Once In A Knifetime - Now we have established the psychosis has kicked in, we are straight into the hardcore rave style mayhem. The drums are fast and the rhythm is toxic. The vocals enforce their insanity upon the listener whilst the effects secure the body’s transgression. This is the second fastest track on the album at 02:49 and it shows no sign of slowing down.
Cure Equals Suffering - I can only gather from the obscurity of the introduction, that this must represent the pills affecting random neurons within the brain. With chills and shakes and spasms and spins, it is a realm of insanity so many must deal with on a day to day basis. It’s simply playing guinea pig to the drug companies as they experiment upon you until they find the right medicine to treat your condition, making you worse in the mean time. It’s an erratic track yet well composed.
Fade And Vanish - Here we have the final track on the album and the longest at 05:58. It is atmospheric, dark and heavy. The pace is slower but definitely retains that heavy essence. The overall sound is of anguish and hatred and the longing to be free from the turmoil. It is at 03:41 the music begins to feel like there is a shred of hope. Or is it the discovery of an instant end to it all? The ambience at the end beckons me to think they are walking out into the distance, but I feel that is not their mortal body as such as their astral or spirit. Either way, it has left me wanting to hear more of Scorngrain’s torturous tale though sadly this is the end.
In essence, Scorngrain have created an upbeat, mind altering album. This is an interesting blend of metal and rave wrapped inside a darkened atmosphere. The CD I received is I'm guessing purely for promotional purposes as it is a digital release. The front cover, as you can see above, is of a horned demon with six arms, milking breasts and a penis. Two crows perch upon him. There is what looks to be a noose around his neck which is tied to the penis. One crow seems to be pecking out his eye. Inside the CD sleeve is a larger version of that picture on one side when you unfold it all. On the other side is a merchandise section, lyrics to two songs, the track list and album info. Though I don't know this info would help being a digital release. I have really enjoyed listening to this album. If you don’t usually like music that makes you move, I suggest you give this a go anyway and let it take your mind away. Check them out on the links below!
LINKS:
Scorngrain Myspace
Scorngrain YouTube
Scorngrain Facebook
Review by Déa di Morté © 29 August 2011
All pictures courtesy of Scorngrain