Reviewed by: Darklight

This is the domestic release of Evils Toy’s 1994 album ‘Morbid Mind’. This version contains three exclusive tracks that were not found on the European release of the album. This allows the CD to be a more complete full-length recording.

The problem that I have with this album is the track layout. I dislike the fact that the remixes for “Dear God” and “Sacrifice!” are mixed in along with the original tracks. It has always been my belief that remixes should be put at the end of an album as bonus tracks. Unfortunately, the remixes here are placed much too closely to the originals making it almost sound like you’re listening to the same track twice in a row. Thankfully, the remixes are quite good and different enough from the originals to allow them to have a fresh edge. But I still feel that they would have worked much better at the very end of the album.

There is a second remix of “Dear God” done by X Marks The Pedwalk that is good for the fact that it’s a dark ambient instrumental that sounds nothing at all like the original making it seem like a different track entirely.

Each and every song delivered on this recording is good. The music offered here is dark EBM with frantic electronic effects, driving drum beats, haunting melodies and German accented snarling male vocals that deliver the lyrics in a raspy way. The songs all manage to keep the same energetic pace while offering memorable hooks and choruses. There’s a touch of anger and aggression mixed with melody that allows for an emotional delivery. Fans of bands such as Leaether Strip, Velvet Acid Christ and :wumpscut: will especially enjoy this CD.

(*A review of the original release of "Morbid Mind" is found later in this page.)

Reviewed by: Darklight

Evil's Toy has been the two man electro-industrial/EBM band consisting of Volker Lutz and Thorsten Brenda since their beginning back in the early 90's. Well, Thorsten Brenda has left the band for unkown reasons, and now Evil's Toy is a three member band still consisting of Volker Lutz on vocals and two new musicians making the music. Evil's Toy started out as an extremely dark electro-industrial/EBM band featuring fast paced electronic programming, haunting synths and angry distorted growling German accented male vocals. But over the years they have been leaving that style behind and going for a more cleaner electro sound with a sci-fi futuristic techno sound. Their previous CD "Angels Only!" was their biggest departure yet featuring synth-pop style music and clean vocals. This follow up CD "Silvertears" takes that same sound even further. Even though Thorsten Brenda is no longer making the music, the new musicians follow in the same past Evil's Toy tradition with familiar sounds, rhythms and beats. But they add even more melody and drama to the mix giving the music an even more layered and mature sound. Volker Lutz sings deep and clean with great melody over the music. The overall sound of this CD is Synth-pop with a touch of EBM. There are solid rhythms and beats mixed with beautiful keyboard melodies and a variety of electronic programming. Each and every song is catchy and put together extremely well featuring great chorus' that you won't be able to resist singing along to. This is without a doubt the most polished and mature Evil's Toy CD yet. The vocals and music fit together perfectly, and there's not a bad track to be found. The one instrumental delivered "Symphony Of Sympathy" is simply amazing showing off the musical talents of the two new musicians. This is a high quality CD that no fan of EBM/Synth-pop music should be without.

Reviewed by: Darklight

This is an incredible CD. Right from the start with "The Concrete Garden" this CD pulled me in and never let go. Evils Toy have been one of my favorite electro industrial acts for some time now, and they just keep impressing me with everything they release. This CD features some of their best work yet with so much diversity. Their previous CD was fairly straight forward techno industrial. However, this CD delivers much more melody and variety making each track sound unique. The song structures here are amazing with electronic rhythms and beats that are catchy, combined with soothing synth melodies and clean deep accented male vocals that fit with everything perfectly. There isn't a bad track here. Everything has a clean sound and quality throughout. This is the band's most mature work so far. They really know how to make creative song structures with chorus' that stand out and stick with you. You won't be able to stop yourself from singing along. The majority of the lyrics here deal with angels and aliens, which seemed a bit odd at first. But these themes go well with the melody driven and often futuristic music. The overall feel of the CD is somewhat light like that of synth-pop, but still has an electro industrial edge to it. There is one instrumental here that is very energetic and techno sounding. It would be great for the dance floor. The tracks are placed perfectly here. Everything flows smoothly from start to finish. I feel that Evils Toy deserve recognition and popularity with this release. They are very talented individuals that create extremely impressive electronic music. Bands of this caliber with releases of this quality deserve to be heard. This CD can't be missed by any electro industrial music fan.

Reviewed by: Darklight

Evils Toy are back with their best release since "Human Refuse". The songs here deliver very fast paced electronic rhythms and beats meant for the dance floor. The music is sci-fi techno with harmonic synths combined with the traditional growling vocals. Each track grabs you right away and makes you want to move. This music can be enjoyed right from the start. It takes no time to get use to. It has a comfortable upbeat vibe to it that just makes it a pleasure to listen to. While this is dance music for the most part, it does have its moments when it gets darker and more aggressive. Just as there are a couple of really good moody and melodic instrumentals that break up the overall feel a bit. So this album does feature quite a lot of variety. The songs themselves feature changes that make them interesting. You will hear something new in each of the tracks. There are some great spacey sound effects layered into the music as well that gives it a more uplifting feel. There are even some robotically distorted vocals added from time to time to really give the music a sci-fi edge. The dark,haunting, gothic approach of old is definitely gone. The only thing that seems to stay consistant with each Evils Toy album is the vocals. The trademark rough and raw growling singing is what really allows the listener to know that they are indeed listening to Evils Toy. Especially when the music has been changed from electro goth to spacey sci-fi techno. I have been a big Evils Toy fan from the start and they continue to deliver excellent music. I like how they manage to change their sound slightly to keep it fresh, but still stick with the basics that makes them Evils Toy.

Reviewed by: Darklight

This is a bit of a departure from older Evils Toy material. The music especially seems different here. It's a lot more futuristic sci-fi sounding as opposed to goth. But there are still haunting synths and dark growling German male vocals. But the main rhythms and beats are made with upbeat electronics that have a slight techno sound to them. Each song is energetic with dance floor energy combined with melodic parts giving variety and change to the music. The vocals growl deeply, and sing as well. Each song does have something that makes them sound different from each other, but they all pretty much play at the same pace and have the same style for the most part. There is nothing slow or boring here. Everything is designed for the dance floor. There are a couple of instrumentals here as well that are pretty damn good. This album is less goth than previous Evils Toy, but still a lot darker than most electro industrial acts. The bottom line is that this is a quality album. Each song is just as good here. But a couple do stand out more. I am actually quite happy with the new direction that Evils Toy has decided to take. I still think that "Human Refuse" is their best album. But being that this is their third album, I do feel that it was time for them to make a slight change to their sound. So I am glad that they did.

Reviewed by: Darklight

Seven songs found here are originals, while two are remixes. This is the only disappointing aspect of the album. Because Evils Toy is one of my favorite bands, and I could have definitely handled more than seven songs. But these seven are extremely catchy with some great electronic rhythms and beats with haunting synths in the background. The vocals are distorted, and have an apparent German accent. The overall sound is dark, moody, and gothic. The music plays along at a medium pace. But it's very angry and aggressive as well. If you like German industrial bands such as Leæther Strip and :wumpscut:, you will like Evils Toy.

(A review of the U.S. release of "Morbid Mind" is found earlier in this page.)

Reviewed by: Darklight

This band mixes electro industrial and goth elements into one style of music. There are touches of Leæther Strip and :wumpscut: found here. The beats are very catchy with electronic rhythms mixed with haunting synths. The vocals are extremely distorted, and sing in a dark and moody style. I wouldn't consider this dance music due to it being so gothic. But the rhythms and beats will make you want to get up and move. All of the songs on this album do sound fairly similar to each other, but do have subtle differences to make them stand apart. My favorite songs are "Make Up", "No Life", and "Nuclear Lab". These songs stand out the most. But there isn't a bad song to be found here. If you like dark, moody, and haunting electrogoth music, you will like Evils Toy.