Sonik Foundry- Mechanized (Review 2)

ARTIST: Sonik Foundry

ALBUM: Mechanized

LABEL: Hitman Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 11-16-09

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Sonik Foundry is the solo project of Bangor, Maine composer, programmer and singer Nick "Nikademus" Deflaminis, who also plays in Bow Ever Down as well as running the Hitman Records label. A seven-song digital preview of the forthcoming full-length of the same name, this release highlights both his melancholy approach to EBM and his distinctive vocals. Inspired by the more melodic EBM of contemporary acts like Assemblage 23 and VNV Nation, the programming on this album is comparatively simple but clean, with tense bass sequences driving "Alone" and both mechanical and orchestral elements coming together on the bleak "5e7en 51nz." It's Nikademus' voice that really characterizes Sonik Foundry, however; it's romantic but just a little gravelly, calling to mind a harder version of The Psychedelic Furs' Richard Butler or even Peter Gabriel on songs like "My Experiment." That's also why "My Evil" is the one big let-down on this release; while the Auto-Tune and other vocal effects on the song are understated, their mere presence alone is enough to wash out the personality in Nikademus' singing voice. Other than that, however, this is promising stuff, and the official full-length is sure to be even better.

Visit Hitman Records at www.hitmanrecordsusa.com for more information, or download this seven-song release from the Sonik Foundry LastFM page at www.last.fm/music/Sonik+Foundry/Mechanized.