39%

When the debut album of essence saw the daylight, the band instantly started to be compared to such gigants of the alternative music as Apoptygma Berzerk, Icon of Coil or Combichrist. Nontheless, it is my firm belief that the first record had that particularily extraordinary and harsh freshness, which the Watch Out EP definitely lacks.

It is common knowledge that such a record label as Alfa Matrix carefully juggles its artists and releasing the EPs after the release of a particular album has become somewhat a tradition for them, which main purpose is to assess the popularity of a given band. When an EP sells just as well as the album did, the second record may be released with an 100 % certainty the money one invested will not go to waste. I am not sure if this odd rule applies to Essence Mind for there is a world of difference between the style of music implied on them on their first album and that which can be heard on the EP and is essentialy a joint part of them both. This sort of hybrid is obviously easy to be sold, yet not to those who bought Insurrection earlier. A multitude of remixes even worses the case as the people resposible for mixing were most probably doing their best to deteriorate their sound, which was so admired during their excellent tour with Zeromancer at the beginning of 2009.

If one happen to meet the boys, it can be clearly noticed they seem immensly shy and do not play for the sake of fame but for the sheer pleasure of playing or simply to have an opportunity of inviting their mates to the show and provide them with some decent amount of fun and joy. Unluckily, such people most often become the victims of show business and this record proves it just right. the boys are getting lost in the things they do as the record label must have told them that 'you would be better off that way". The truth is it does not sound bad - the album is just aimed at a different listener, which is not that good of a change for such a young and inexperienced band. Obviously, I support all those bands who give up their present activities just to immerse in the search for something new, but not after having released only one album! When after the start you have already crossed the finish line, then what is the point of starting?

I recommend this EP to those who adore all compilations which are usually added to the magazines like Sonic Seducer or Orkus. If I could give a piece of advice to the fans of the debut album of the Norwegians, I would tell them to keep away from this particular blend of sounds. Watch Out is just an EP hence we shall not scold the band - it is commonly known that they have just released their second LP...

Tracklist:
01.Watch Out [single edit]
02.Nightmare [single edit]
03.Wicked Smile
04.Not Again
05.Nothing To Loose
06.Watch Out [NORTHBORNE mix]
07.Nightmare [ELEC THIS! mix]
08.Watch Out [EX.ES mix]
09.Nightmare [INDUSTRIEGEBIET mix]
10.Watch Out [AETHERFX mix],
11.Nightmare [PSY’AVIAH mix]
12.Nothing To Loose [KANT KINO mix]

Other articles:

• Essence of Mind - Insurrection - 2010-11-29 (Music reviews)

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