Ephel Duath Pain Remixes the Known
Earache Records MOSH350 2007
By Jason Jordan
As if the title isnt indicative enough, Pain Remixes the Known from Italys Ephel Duath is, to quote the liner notes, an electronic deconstruction of the 2005 album Pain Necessary to Know. Thus, instead of spastic, jazzy experimental music, PRtK lays the effects on thick, though allows certain melodies and screams to filter through with little to no tampering. Rest assured, however, that most of this record is a departure from the usual craziness despite being eccentric in a different way. For that reason, this caters to diehard, ED fanatics exclusively.
Hole I each track is named Hole [#] is actually a great introduction to what can be expected from Pain Remixes the Known: infectious beats pulse while various Ephel Duath trademarks like hardcore vocals, riffs, and tempos are warped via electronics, but to the point that everything is typically vaguely familiar, if not downright recognizable. Though short-lived, II is generally more dissonant due to the high-pitched beeps that pervade various sections. A track such as III unfolds in a docile manner before switching to a faster, busier approach, while another like IV retains the same pace throughout, for the most part, but incorporates effects that bring an industrial setting to mind. Other notables include V for its underwater nature and IX for its Silent Hill-esque ambiance.
Similar to the Fear Factory remix albums, Pain Remixes the Known by no means surpasses anything Ephel Duaths discography already contains. Still, this is a decent yet esoteric listen for the extremely open-minded and/or the completist. Most people will just have to get their kicks elsewhere.
Official Ephel Duath Website
Official Earache Records Website
Earache Records MOSH350 2007
By Jason Jordan
As if the title isnt indicative enough, Pain Remixes the Known from Italys Ephel Duath is, to quote the liner notes, an electronic deconstruction of the 2005 album Pain Necessary to Know. Thus, instead of spastic, jazzy experimental music, PRtK lays the effects on thick, though allows certain melodies and screams to filter through with little to no tampering. Rest assured, however, that most of this record is a departure from the usual craziness despite being eccentric in a different way. For that reason, this caters to diehard, ED fanatics exclusively.
Hole I each track is named Hole [#] is actually a great introduction to what can be expected from Pain Remixes the Known: infectious beats pulse while various Ephel Duath trademarks like hardcore vocals, riffs, and tempos are warped via electronics, but to the point that everything is typically vaguely familiar, if not downright recognizable. Though short-lived, II is generally more dissonant due to the high-pitched beeps that pervade various sections. A track such as III unfolds in a docile manner before switching to a faster, busier approach, while another like IV retains the same pace throughout, for the most part, but incorporates effects that bring an industrial setting to mind. Other notables include V for its underwater nature and IX for its Silent Hill-esque ambiance.
Similar to the Fear Factory remix albums, Pain Remixes the Known by no means surpasses anything Ephel Duaths discography already contains. Still, this is a decent yet esoteric listen for the extremely open-minded and/or the completist. Most people will just have to get their kicks elsewhere.
Official Ephel Duath Website
Official Earache Records Website
