Album: "Dead Planet" (2001)
Label: Bloodline
Style: Electro-industrial / EBM
Songs: 10

Reviewed by: Darklight

I was not prepared for how good this CD turned out. Since the previous Dark Illumination album was fairly sparse and simplistic in its sound, I wasn’t sure what the band would do on this follow-up. Well, they have basically taken the styles from their two previous albums and have mixed them with a more modern sounding clubfloor EBM edge. The end result is spectacular.

This CD is all about bass. The beats and sounds presented here thump deeply with a high bpm rate. This is the main driving force that gives these songs their clubfloor appeal. Blended in with the beats are experimental and creative electronic sci-fi sound effects. Floating in the background are well orchestrated synth melodies that give a smooth contrast to the rather chaotic programming. And to make these songs complete, deep thick German accented male vocals sing with power and emotion over everything.

What is so impressive about this album is how the band can make everything sound so creative and interesting with a slight experimental edge and still end up with extremely catchy clubfloor results. This is due in part to the band returning to their slightly darker and more aggressive roots. These songs are all about energy and making you want to move. But there is so many different things happening in the music at all times that you can’t help but be sucked into it.

While every track here is impressive, my favorites include “Another Mistery”, “Keep That Frequency”, “Rejection” and “Mental”. These tracks especially stand out with their fast paced aggressive pace and catchy chorus’. These would have the clubfloors packed as no one could resist wanting to move to them.

The album ends with a nice closing instrumental entitled “Moonlight Reflection”. Finally a band got it right by keeping the meat of the album packed with energetic songs with vocals while saving the instrumental for the end.

Reviewed by: Darklight

Dark Illumination are back with a slightly different sound. Their previous CD was dark electro similar to that of Leaether Strip, but they're going for more of the current futuristic / sci-fi electro sound with this release. I will admit that I didn't know what to think of this at first, but after several listens I really enjoy it. The music is made up of crisp electronic programming / sequencing / sampling, spacey synth melodies and catchy drum beats. The vocals are dreary and don't change much, but do fit in well with the music. There are good rhythms and beats presented here that could work on the dance floor, but this is much more than standard "make-you-move" industrial. There is a lot happening here with several layers of sound. I like how the music is somewhat structured, but still comes off very creative and diverse. Each track presents something new and different. There are a couple of instrumentals here that are good, but I still prefer the tracks with vocals. Especially considering that the lyrics are ell written and make you want to pay attention to them. The mood and pace of the album stays consistant from start to finish. Everything plays at a medium speed and flows smoothly. If you enjoy a lighter more futuristic/sci-fi style of electro industrial music, this CD is a must for you.

Reviewed by: Darklight

This album begins with the title track "Realize The Error" which starts off like a synth-pop song, but during its course changes direction a little and sounds more dark and aggressive. The remainder of the album sticks with a dark moody but danceable pure electronic, synth, sample journey. The programming is well done with electronics layered over dramatic keyboard melodies while the vocals are deep and clean with a slight German accent that compliments the music perfectly. The songs are lengthy and not rushed. They have variety included in them with changing rhythms and beats combined with samples that keep the songs interesting. There is passion and emotion here combined with melody and drama. It's rather cold and sometimes even gothic. While this album doesn't really break any new ground, it is still a very high quality and well done release that you will like instantly if you are a fan of dark electro industrial music.