The Eternal Afflict- San Diego 2K9 (Luminographic Agony)

ARTIST: The Eternal Afflict

ALBUM: San Diego 2K9 (Luminographic Agony)

LABEL: Afflict:ME Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J. 

DATE: 1-30-10

For their latest EP, The Eternal Afflict have recorded a new version of their very first single, "San Diego," originally released almost two decades ago on their debut album. For this new version, the band teamed up with Qntal's vocalist, Syrah, who adds a heavenly quality to the breathless baritone of The Eternal Afflict's own Cyan. Still present are the thumping four on the floor bass kicks, with the ultimate result being a track that leans slightly more to the gothic side of the spectrum while still retaining the EBM energy of the original. While the new recording is interesting if not groundbreaking, the sheer number of remixes are overkill, with Jesus on Extasy adding a guitar line, Patenbrigade:Wolff taking things in a more synthpop-tinged direction, and Project Pitchfork delivering a workmanlike techno mix. All the remixes are decent; none are particularly essential. The rest of the tracks are also a mixed bag; "Dreams Take Blind Souls" is raw club-ready darkwave in the vein of early Attrition, right down to the background operatics, and "Nirvana" is a brooding mood piece, all soprano vocals and electronic organs. Unfortunately, the most memorable track is also the EP's worst: a cover of The Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" that sees Cyan doing what appears to be a very bad Andrew Eldritch impression. DJs and long-time fans of The Eternal Afflict will probably find something useful or interesting here, but it's hard to imagine that this EP will bring in many new fans.

For more information, visit The Eternal Afflict MySpace page at www.myspace.com/theeternalafflict.