Backlash - Impetus

Blind (Radio Edit)
Anodyne For The Weak
Alter Ego
Fix
Heal
Impetus (98 Version)
Spirit In Reverse
Liberation
Blind (Spot B Mix)
Visonary Fields
Regression Is No Option

This is the ninth release for the Nilaihah record label, and the debut album for Backlash. Now, as I understand it, the band has since changed vocalists for their second album. However, this album features Malin Andersson, a female lead vocalist, instead of the current male lead singer. 

Anyway, I first encountered this band through the second Volume of the Venusaxx compilation series (in fact, the first track of this album was the track on that compilation). Then, after hearing "Anodyne For The Weak" on the State Of Synthpop 2003 compilation, I knew I had to pick this album up. Both tracks are very high quality blends of the harsher noises of Industrial and EBM with a strong synthpop feel.

"Alter Ego" is the only track to feature heavily processed vocals throughout, (I can't even tell if it's still the female singer singing), but it makes it distinctive from the other tracks, and with it's more EBM-friendly stomping beat and distortion, this track probably will see a lot of club play. "Liberation", while it takes a little while to get to the chorus, really has a solid hook to it, one that I really found top-notch.

This is a very solid album, with a good bit of crossover appeal possibility for fans of Electro and EBM music, as well as Synthpop fans. While the most impressive tracks (to me) were the ones I had heard previously, there are several very solid songs on here as well. A album worth checking into!

Added:  Friday, April 16, 2004
Reviewer:  Jason Baker
Score:
Related web link:  Official Website
hits: 1289
Language: eng