Trauma Pet- You Cannot Feel This

Since the release of their debut demo single for "Controlled Hysteria," Trauma Pet have added a new guitarist, Pete Boyd, and changed direction somewhat. Though there are still plenty of synthpop influences, Boyd's wailing guitar harmonies add much more of a classic goth feel that works well with programmer and singer Elie's dramatic vocal work. "Rain," for example, adds an ethereal guitar line behind the pumping drum machines, resulting in something that sounds a bit like old Cure or Banshees, but remixed for the clubs, while distorted layers of chords add depth and edginess to the synth strings of moody ballad "Fragile." For a bit more of a modern feel, there's the trip-hop-flavored "Breaking" with its crunchy, metallic breakbeat. Still, it's Elie's voice that's the real appeal here, and it's as lovely as ever, adding melancholy to the thumping beats of "Controlled Hysteria" and dancing in and out of the piano flourishes on "Sick." Beautiful and melancholy, Trauma Pet's music shows that there's still plenty of life left in the gothic and synthpop scenes.

Visit Trauma Pet at www.trauma-pet.com for more information.