ESC - Enhancer
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- Wave Gotik Treffen 2012 - 2012-05-29 (Festivals)
- Amphi Festival 2010 - 2010-07-27 (Festivals)
CDs catalogue:
- ESC - Eight Thousand Square Feet CD
- ESC - Enhancer Format
- ESC - Matte CD
- EyeScream - Noir - 2014-05-13
- MASCHINENgeSCHREI III 19.5.2007 Inner Spaces Poznań - 2007-05-20
Not so long ago had I the pleasure of reviewing the latest album of the Portuguese from ESC, entitled "Eight Thousand Square Feet". In the review, I mentioned that their previous album, "Enhancer", which I am about to review thoroughly, had escaped my attention. Luckily, at the time it had not been reviewed by anyone working for Alternation, hence I decided to grab a chance and take a proper care of it. With their debut release, ESC had raised the bar quite high. Did they manage to jump it over, though?
Let's start from the beginning. The record includes 14 pieces, revolving around the peculiar sort of harsh electro, which people, who had opportunity to acquaint themselves with Matte (the first album), are surely familiar with. Firstly, a listener is welcomed by an instrumental intro, then, a track following track, that is "Despise", constitutes one of the greatest hits of this album. A really catchy tune, with a good beat. The next in line, the title "Enhancer", does not enchant as much as "Despise" does, yet features a couple of thrilling motives. Then "Needle catwalk" and an extraordinarily fast "Heartware V2.0" follow. A piece of a really out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere, "Wrong Way" is yet another interesting track. What surprises the most, not necessarily in a positive way, is the fact that, even though the subsequent track s are really good, they do not stay in your mind afterwards, just like those from "Matte", or "Eight Thousand Square Feet", which was released a bit later. Certainly, in the long run, the album is still very good, but, most probably, the worse one of all those put out by ESC. It lacks tracks which would have been as strikingly catchy as "Matte" from the debut release; everything slightly merges. Indubitably, we are still treated to some excellent melodies and the distinctive vocals, so typical of ESC, yet the whole apparently misses some crucial elements. Perhaps this is a typical syndrome of the second album, or maybe something else is the reason for so oddly incomplete a state.
Yet, is it worth a listen? By all means! Nonetheless, it is my firm conviction that one should start his/her adventure with ESC from their debut in order to fully find out what the Portuguese are capable of and then, give a try to "Enhancer". In all probability, your impressions may turn out different.
Tracklist:
01. Eden
02. Despise
03. Enhancer
04. Needle catwalk
05. Heartware V2.0
06. Wrong way
07. Waste of ammo
08. Totes Licht
09. Alpha Male
10. Architecture
11. Deathtrap circus
12. Attention whore
13. 0.26 (Bladefucked)
14. Reptile
Other articles:
Let's start from the beginning. The record includes 14 pieces, revolving around the peculiar sort of harsh electro, which people, who had opportunity to acquaint themselves with Matte (the first album), are surely familiar with. Firstly, a listener is welcomed by an instrumental intro, then, a track following track, that is "Despise", constitutes one of the greatest hits of this album. A really catchy tune, with a good beat. The next in line, the title "Enhancer", does not enchant as much as "Despise" does, yet features a couple of thrilling motives. Then "Needle catwalk" and an extraordinarily fast "Heartware V2.0" follow. A piece of a really out-of-the-ordinary atmosphere, "Wrong Way" is yet another interesting track. What surprises the most, not necessarily in a positive way, is the fact that, even though the subsequent track s are really good, they do not stay in your mind afterwards, just like those from "Matte", or "Eight Thousand Square Feet", which was released a bit later. Certainly, in the long run, the album is still very good, but, most probably, the worse one of all those put out by ESC. It lacks tracks which would have been as strikingly catchy as "Matte" from the debut release; everything slightly merges. Indubitably, we are still treated to some excellent melodies and the distinctive vocals, so typical of ESC, yet the whole apparently misses some crucial elements. Perhaps this is a typical syndrome of the second album, or maybe something else is the reason for so oddly incomplete a state.
Yet, is it worth a listen? By all means! Nonetheless, it is my firm conviction that one should start his/her adventure with ESC from their debut in order to fully find out what the Portuguese are capable of and then, give a try to "Enhancer". In all probability, your impressions may turn out different.
Tracklist:
01. Eden
02. Despise
03. Enhancer
04. Needle catwalk
05. Heartware V2.0
06. Wrong way
07. Waste of ammo
08. Totes Licht
09. Alpha Male
10. Architecture
11. Deathtrap circus
12. Attention whore
13. 0.26 (Bladefucked)
14. Reptile
Other articles:
- ESC - Eight Thousand Square Feet - 2010-12-06 (Music reviews)
