Digital Deformation- No Signal

Artist: Digital Deformation

CD Title: No Signal

Label: Self-Released

Genre: Industrial, EBM

Website: https://digitaldeformation1.bandcamp.com/

Reviewer: Reg Davey

Date: 7-30-11

Buy Now: https://digitaldeformation1.bandcamp.com/download_tralbum

Harwich is not a place which you immediately associate with electro-industrial. It appears to be a small port town in the county of Essex in SE England. Apparently it has a lot of history, with some fine examples of architecture from throughout the ages, and it has a close proximity to Felixstowe. Oh, and it was the intended target of William Of Orange's invasion fleet, before they were hampered by unfavourable winds and had to land at Torbay in Devon. Knowledge is power, and all that.

Consequently however, it seems like just the place that would have bred Digital Deformation's brand of paranoid, glitch-laden electro-industrial. That feeling of cold anonymity, yet inability to escape from the crowd that is so familiar to anyone who has ever had the fortune (some may say misfortune) to have grown up n a small town where nothing happens. This is the sound of growing old amongst people you hate, whilst trying to keep that sense of yourself amongst the drudge of the world you inhabit.

The band themselves are still fairly new, having been formed only in 2010, and already on their third album. There is a complexity of depth and maturity in the song-writing here for a band that is still so new. I wouldn't say they are quite “there” yet, but there is certainly promise here.

The album itself shows a good understanding of song-writing and is quite deeply layered, with some interesting tricks up it's sleeve. There are points that don't work so well as others, but this is a case of ironing out the kinks and progressing, it's not a criticism of them at all. They know how to take a sound and turn it round on itself quite nicely, adding all the necessary bells and whistles whilst adding a few new interesting ones as well, thereby carving something out of their own. If I was to choose a genre these guys fit into, then I would have to go mostly with Rhythmic Noise. Definitely one to watch out for.

Also, Harwich has one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive complete with its original projection room and ornamental frontage still intact and operational.