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Toxic - Mandylion (Midijum Records)
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Shimmer
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
162
Posted : Oct 16, 2004 03:31
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This album totally surprised me. I was expecting something harder edged, something to be sent to the moon and back from. But this is unlike many of Toxic tracks from various comps. This is Toxic trying something of their own. And for the most part, it works. The album works best at night. When the floors are pumping and you need something to keep the momentum going. This is where this album fits in.
1. Topsick – 7:36
2. Afrodisiac – 7:52
3. Knuckleduster – 7:24
4. Last stop detox – 7:59
5. Poison – 7:29
6. Industrial saga – 8:02
7. Xenomania – 7:26
8. Armorial – 7:16
9. Spanish Fly – 7:29
All tracks at 142 BPM
1. Topsick – Nice intro, although it doesn’t take off, it lays the scene for what is to come. The melodies are nice, the guitars rips, but the general vibe of the track doesn’t really get under your skin. It moves along nicely and then finishes at a nice speed.
2. Afrodisiac – A killer kick! It pumps you. You’re working for it. And that bass line that we associate with Toxic comes in and then it starts. The ticking of the clock, the mysterious voices, and then the song begins in full gear. This track has much more going on it than we realise. It’s 142 bpm, but there’s so much written between each second that you are in a trance. Well, not maybe not a trance but definitely are fixed on what this is saying. A great second track.
3. Knuckleduster – Another killer KICK!!! You have gotta love that kick. On the right system, that could almost send your heart into convulsions. This track picks up after a slow start. Some really nice violins create a great atmosphere. The bass line sounds like it came from a mainstream hip-hop song, but in this track it has much more importance. The bass is carrying the weight, while the violins swing above. The vibe of this track makes me think of something quite important. Maybe the force the dance floor can bring, or maybe it’s trying to save you before you go into oblivion on the upcoming tracks. Who knows if it is even trying to do something, but it does do something.
4. Last Stop Detox – The title says it all. From here, it’s all foreign. A very familiar sound comes into this track and we are no longer in a world of unknowns. The soft harmonies of this track are very well-received. It exists rather than forcing you to listen. The kick isn’t as powerful as it was before but the bass line is still persisting. There’s also a little sound that exists in the background which will have your ear trained on it for the whole track. Very nice, smooth, consistent track.
5. Poison – This could almost be ambient. This track, given the right mood could bring a tear to your eye. The violins soar, then the electronics come in, and the mood is broken. The kick kicks, the bass is bassy, the vocals are disturbing. Really interesting set up. The construction is fascinating, if not for only trying to understand the direction, which they intended for this to go. It really moves into another gear around the 5:00 minute mark, and the dark undertones really come through. This is a different track from the one that opened. Very interesting indeed, and a favourite.
6. Industrial Saga – Without hesitation this gets into it. No time to stop and smell the roses. Oh wait, there is time to stop and smell the roses. The really cool/cheesy vocals come in and then back out again. This track knows where it wants to take you and it is taking you there with its killer kick. Nice beats, melodies and feel. This is another favourite.
7. Xenomania – Slow start to what is a cool track. The piano sounds like it came from Muse’s Absolution album. A very nice addition to the album, this makes you float. The soaring pitches and the downbeat beats are very controlled and when they are added, they make this a pleasant track to listen to. The track is consistent and very well formed. It threatens to get very dark at some stages and I was wanting it to, but then on second thoughts, this isn’t the time/place to do it. It
8. Armorial – Very urgent intro. Sounds like Keanu Reeves if I’m not mistaken, asking you a question, and then answering it. The track takes over with some interesting cuts and crosses, but the owner of this track is the urgency of the bass line. It drives this to unexpected places and then it stops…and comes in again with some mist. And this builds up to some very catchy basslines. Very Nice.
9. Spanish Fly – Some very weird and wired guitars in this track. Bordering on the line of cheesy but remain on the “interesting” side of the line. A great freaky sample opens the track and from there on, it’s one of the most driving tracks. It doesn’t let up which is a great change from the usual calmer final track syndrome that most artists go for.
When all has been listened to and done. This is a surprise. It’s a surprise because I really enjoy this and it’s a surprise because I was expecting something darker. I guess the cover of the album really sums up this album perfectly. The theme is green and the music certainly subscribes to that. This is great for the dance floors, but not so great if all you want to do is put on to a track and freak out by the weirdness of it. Overall, this is very welcome in my album collection.
Fav(s): 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9
8 out of 10
  _______________________________-______________________________
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving. |
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djbim
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
21
Posts :
103
Posted : Oct 16, 2004 11:55
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Hey Shimmer
Thank you for this reaction !!
Mandylion wake me up and told me that there is a reaction online from somebody who understand this album 100%.
And i have to tell you also from Mandylion a big thanks for your words about they was very in hope that somebody wrote the first review who understand what we like to tell the people with the Artwork and the music
Thanks Bim and Mandylion
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we are not progressive
we are in trance
http://www.midijum.de |
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Michiel
Mad Contrabender
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
49
Posted : Oct 16, 2004 14:10
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Realy nice review shimmer,
but please note that the artist is Mandylion with an album called Toxic  From the 1st words of your review I get the impression you think it's done by Toxic.
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Shimmer
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
162
Posted : Oct 17, 2004 10:45
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I re-read that opening line as well, and I apologise for making it sound like Toxic. I have to be honest and say that I was simply confused. A simple brain freeze we all have. Please forgive me : )
I have posted this review on psynews.org and australiens.net so hopefully the word will spread.
I simply loved the way this album flowed and soared. It really connected with me and my words don't do some of the songs justice. I look forward to future releases from MANDYLION. Oh, and the cover is awe-inspiring. Love the colours. They show up so well!
All the best!
_______________________________-______________________________
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving. |
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ELF music
Elf Music
Started Topics :
24
Posts :
142
Posted : Oct 18, 2004 03:48
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shift
Shift
Started Topics :
38
Posts :
319
Posted : Oct 18, 2004 09:42
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hey loks good,,, but i also thought its was by toxic wheni saw it on psyshop,,,,, the cover and promo are missleading.... it looks liek a 'toxic' album,,,
however,,, the review seems interesting and so i will get this disc,,, good luck mandylion |
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Michiel
Mad Contrabender
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
49
Posted : Oct 18, 2004 17:32
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Hey guys,
Sorry for the confusion with our cd title, and the act called Toxic. We did not see this comming. Also thanx again for the good vibes, it's always nice to get possitiv feedback.
www.mandylionstudio.nl
www.midijum.de |
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ToXiC{a&a}
Toxic
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
77
Posted : Oct 19, 2004 15:36
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djbim
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
21
Posts :
103
Posted : Oct 21, 2004 18:19
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What to do slowly we get a problem with names about to much names in the world are reserved.
But we say in germany
names are like words and smoke they come and they go.
in the end is only the musik witch stay in your mind.
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we are not progressive
we are in trance
www.midijum.de
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guy cohen
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
417
Posts :
2871
Posted : Oct 21, 2004 19:31
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Midijum continoue with the high quality releases !
This project really have something special , music that I never heard !
This German label is one of the top labels around the globus and his music is for everyone , like Bim said :
" We are not progressive
we are in trance "
Golden words ! |
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Fuzulu
Fuzulu
Started Topics :
58
Posts :
1096
Posted : Oct 21, 2004 19:46
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man a whole toxic cd is out and i had no clue about this ... didnt see anything about this anywhere before ... have to check this out |
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guy cohen
IsraTrance Senior Member
Started Topics :
417
Posts :
2871
Posted : Oct 21, 2004 20:39
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Ðårk §hivå , Man this is not Toxic album !!!
The album title is Toxic but the artist is MANDYLiON !
Next time read the whole thread before u write something. |
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Shimmer
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
162
Posted : Oct 22, 2004 08:51
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Gee, nice to see my brain freeze isn't just confined to my brain! Tis a bit confusing though...but the music should really speak for itself. Very, Very Cool indeed!
_______________________________-______________________________
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, slithering, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving. |
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rumble pack / motion drive
Rumble Pack
Started Topics :
23
Posts :
270
Posted : Oct 22, 2004 09:08
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hey guys...
just recieved my copy yesterday from bim and i have to say; really cool album...
special music not the usual sound like u hear too much today...
Wish u all the best with this release and hope to meet ya once...
cheers
philip
Blue Vortex/Rumble Pack
YSE Rec./Midijum Rec. |
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ELF music
Elf Music
Started Topics :
24
Posts :
142
Posted : Oct 23, 2004 10:39
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I correct this.
Sorry my mistake..
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