Fixmer / McCarthy – Chemicals (Vinyl 12” – Sonic Groove)
Genre/Influences: EBM, minimal-EBM, techno-body.
Background/Info: Minimal techno-body guru Terence Fixmer and Nitzer Ebb vocalist Douglas McCarthy are back on track dealing with “Chemicals”. This EP seems to indicate that this great duo is finally active again; releasing their second EP in less than 2 years and this after a studio break of several years.
Content: If you’re already familiar with the work of this French-English duo you immediately will recognize the minimal grooves of Terence Fixmer and of course the unique and charismatic timbre of voice of Douglas McCarthy. The sound formula hasn’t changed, but “Chemicals” definitely is the rawest and most industrial work by the duo thus far. The instrumental version of the title track will give you a real shock. This is brilliant and tormenting, but transcendental dance piece while the version with vocals is more into EBM.
The B-side cut sounds pretty vintage-like and will ravish lovers of Crash Course In Science.
+ + + : “Chemicals” is according to me the most genius cut released by this duo. There’s a perfect balance between the raw grooves and powerful vocals, but both artists have been never more complementary as on “Chemicals”. The instrumental version is nothing less than a sonic jewel, which will please to industrial lovers, techno heads and EBM freaks. The cold and powerful industrial sounds are brilliant while the danceable vibes will get you into trance! The B-side cut is much more than filler and is a lust of the ears of vintage electronic lovers.
– – – : The only regret I have about this 12” is that it only features 3 songs. Time for an album guys!!!
Conclusion: I like when a production gets me down on my knees obliging me to beg for more. This is the kind of stuff representing the new EBM standards based upon good-old influences while driven by cold techno vibes.
Best songs: “Chemicals”, “Chemicals – Instrumental”, “Wrong Planet”.
Rate: (9).
Band: www.fixmermccarthy.com / www.facebook.com/FixmerMcCarthyOfficial
Label: www.sonicgroove.com / www.facebook.com/Sonicgrooverecords
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