COLLIDE

Album: "Chasing the Ghost" (2000)
Label: Noiseplus Music
Style: Darkwave
Songs: 10
B
 

Reviewed by: Darklight

Collide has matured and now offer extremely varied emotional and passionate darkwave music with a touch of trip-hop similar to that of Switchblade Symphony.
       What is really impressive here are the ideas contained within the songs mixing and layering the music in very diverse ways. Statik has really mastered his programming skills adding a lot of depth and variety to his mesmerizing compositions. Karin, of course, sings enchantingly and beautiful with the music creating a mood of pure haunting delight.
       The overall music contained here is rather slow paced and melodic with mid-tempo beats. In the mix are experimental elements and scratchy noise effects over dark melodies bringing a little chaos into the tracks.
       Anyone familiar with Collide’s debut “Beneath The Skin” know that they used quite a lot of heavy guitar on that album. However, guitars are barely used in the music here. They’re used just enough at the right times to give the songs a little more punch when needed. But for the most part, this is pure electronic music.

The bottom line is that this CD is a must for fans of beat heavy electro-goth and beautifully haunting darkwave music featuring enchanting female vocals.


Album: "Beneath The Skin" (1996)
Label: Re-Constriction Records
Style: Electro Goth
Songs: 12
B

Reviewed by: Darklight

If you combined both Venus Walk and Switchblade Symphony, you would get the sound of Collide. You get a lot of electronics, some guitar, and a beautifully haunting melodic female singer. The best songs on the album are the harder ones that rock with a lot of guitar. The slow songs are a bit boring. There are more than I would care for as well. But there are enough faster songs that make this album a must. There is a polish and quality to this band that makes them mainstream acceptable. I personally feel that they deserve recognition. But regardless, if you like goth music of any kind, get this new Collide album. You will be more than pleased with your purchase.