Damno Te - Betrayal Cuts Both Ways

Ok, so I gave this CD a good listen in my car - which is my preferred place for reviewing music because I like to annoy the rappers with some loud noise coming out of it ;P. Also the system is just incredibly good and CDs sound awesome in it.

You might be surprized that I find the content to be industrial to some extent and not plain noise. The reason is simple - the first three tracks have as a common motive the repetitive structure of the background which is broken up by noises screaching in and out and some glitchy tempo changes, speed ups etc. But overall you get the feeling being exposed to factories, machines, noisy hell.

The first three tracks remind me a tad of Xdugefs alphabet salad CD if you were to speed the thing way up - or this one way down. The first track is supported by a melancholic three tone slow humming type mellody which makes this track very sad and heavy on the soul. This is an excellent idea to keep the track focussed and on target even though many noise layers are being explored, introduced, glitched and fucked up.

There are also elements of power electronic coming your way, distortion, screaching, hissing, overdrive, a tad white noise (but just a tiny tad). Tracks 2 and 3 follow largely the concept of track 1 without exploration in depth. Short and to the point.

The last track is perhaps the most noise track because it offers more breaks, even some far and distorted drums in those breaks, it is more random in structure.

My personal fav is track 1 which even with 23 minutes doesn't seem to be long because it offers variation while staying right on target.

In summary, this CD is certainly worth every penny you pay for it and a must for those who love noisy industrial or industrialish noise.

I would suggest making this into a high quality CDR and offer at least 50 copies for the world. A lot of much lower quality junk is offered in larger numbers. The only drawback of the CD is perhaps in the artwork section which could use a professional overhaul. The artwork ideas are great, the excecution is lacking behind.

Cheers, Kai