Suicide Commando – Mindstrip Redux (Album – Out Of Line)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro.
Format: Digital, 2CD, Double Vinyl.
Background/Info: Back in 2000 Suicide Commando released the album “Mindstrip”, which was the fourth official full length of the Belgian master of Dark-Electro music. The album became a referential work thanks to some legendary hits. Twenty years and several more successful albums later, Suicide Commando is more than ever ruling over a music genre that saw countless bands trying to emulate Johan Van Roy. “Mindstrip Redux” is a special re-issue of this important work featuring the original album next to an album with reworked versions. There also is a limited vinyl edition featuring the extra songs –and hits “‘Cry For Mother” and “Dein Herz, Meine Gier” taken from the EP “Love Breeds Suicide” (2001). Back in time Suicide Commando was signed to Dependent.
Content: Let’s start with the first disc featuring the reworked versions of the album. Ten songs featuring one of the most legendary hits of the band, “Hellraiser”! The songs are easily recognizable, but the major and noticeable difference is the global sound production. The sound got a serious boost, Johan Van Roy using more professional equipment than 20 years ago. You’ll for sure notice some little differences in sounds and arrangements while the production of the vocals is also more professional. Most of the songs became a little less short or more extended, but you’ll for sure easily recognize the different tracks.
The best way to realize the difference between the songs is to first listen to the original edit at the second disc and next directly switch to the ‘new’ edit.
+ + + : I was a bit skeptical about this release. “Mindstrip” remains to me the best ever released work by Suicide Commando, but I’d some preconception this would be just a cheap way to make some money. But if you know Johan Van Roy, who’s such a kind and humble person, you know this is not true. He reworked the songs and did a real great job improving the global production of the songs. The difference with the original work is simply impressive and I can’t imagine DJ’s will ever play again the ‘original’ edits. “Mindstrip” remains a brilliant album thanks to the already mentioned “Hellraiser”, but other cuts like “Comatose Delusion”, “Raise Your God” and of course “Love Breeds Suicide” became instant hits as well. Twenty years later this album got a sonic facelift, but remains a reference. Notice by the way the artwork has been completely reworked as well.
– – – : A few songs are maybe suffering a little less from the weight of time, but that’s maybe just because I’m here referring to a few ‘softer’ tracks. There’s no real reason to complain.
Conclusion: When a twenty years old album, which has been boosted still, has its original power and impact, you might consider it as a masterpiece! “Mindstrip” is this kind of masterpiece!
Best songs: “Hellraiser – Post Mortem”, “Love Breeds Suicide – Endzeit 2020”, “Raise Your God – 2020 Bigotry”, “Blood In Face – First Aid Mix”, “Jesus Wrept – Resurrect v.2020”.
Rate: (9).
Artist: www.suicidecommando.be / www.facebook.com/IIXIII
Label: www.outofline.de / www.facebook.com/outoflinelabel
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