Diverje- The Distortion Chamber, Vol. 1

Artist: Diverje
CD Title: The Distortion Chamber Vol. 1
Label: DSBP
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 10-20-05

Tommy T., founder of the label DSBP, is back with another album from his main artistic outlet, Diverje. As usual, eclecticism is the watchword, and the tracks on this album range from atmospheric EBM to darkly funky electro and even a touch of industrial metal. Traditionalists will enjoy the dance floor assault and rhythmic complexity of such tracks as “The Distortion Chamber” and the richly textured “I Walk Alone,” and “Individual” throws in a hint of hardcore punk-styled vocals along with a synthesized organ line that weaves between hard-hitting electro beats. “Time Is The Enemy” and “Be Human Again” are more subdued but more evocative, with trippy, faintly Middle Eastern influences and futuristic vocal effects, respectively, while “No Time For Compromise” and “Overpopulation” are unabashed industrial metal, power chords and all. Despite a nearly unparalleled mastery of the genre, T. seems to take things less seriously than many of his peers in the EBM scene, and a sense of black comedy pervades tracks like “Stupid People Shouldn’t Breed” or the humorously obscene comedy routines sampled on “Test Samples.” It makes for an album that’s brilliantly crafted but lacking in snobbishness, and like the artist’s recent In-FUSED side project, demonstrates an real love for dark electronics that’s absolutely infectious. This is EBM for the true faithful, and far more substantial than any collection of generic club hits.

Visit www.dsbp.cx for more information on Diverje, Tommy T. and other DSBP artists.