Alec Empire is pushing the boundaries yet again. In a seeming revolution against his fascist influence childhood The Golden Foretaste of Heaven tests the limits of gothic-electro-punk.
Gritty. Dark. Emotional. Powerful. All perfect words to describe this album. Awash with techno-sounding crashes, synth warbling, bass rumbling, dissonance and distortion The Golden Foretaste of Heaven is a riot. It barges into your ears uninvited and demands confrontation.
This step back into the eighties speaks volumes about Empire’s early rave influences. With hints of Kraftwerk and Gary Numan The Golden Foretaste of Heaven seems unoriginal but that doesn’t detract from the dominant electro punch in the face. This album oozes experimental. From the grisly clash between synths to the almost hyperbolic sound effects - Empire tries musical patience.
New Man is quite possibly the most ‘conventional’ track – only it sounds like it could have been written 25 years ago. The heavy reverberated drums echo from a distant past that could stir hidden teenage memories from deep in your parent’s minds.
Now imagine stepping inside a PC and being chased around the circuits by a huge electrical surge. Welcome to Down Satan Down. With bips, bops and bloops this tune bounces through your head as it pans from left ear to right. A similar style can be heard in Robot L.O.V.E. The music certainly personifies the robot in the title.
On Fire is raw black passion. Heavy rock guitar layered with rasping vocals and lyrics like “My heart burns, like she set it on fire” and “She could make me take my own life” smash your brain as hard as the sticks hitting the drums. It bleeds unhealthy obsession.
To some listeners the weird computer generated sounds could grow tiresome. There’s no let up on any of these tracks – no escape. However if you like trippy, post-rave electro-Goth-punk (?!) or are just a fan of odd, disturbing sounds then this is the record for you.
This is definitely a love it or hate it scenario. Either way this album will fuck with your mind.
