Psykkle: “Mother Monoxide” Is An Epic Dark-Electro Musical Creation

Posted By: Rick JammPosted date: August 22, 2013in: Reviews1 Comment

Psykkle is a Dark-Electro/Industrial project from Edmonton, AB. Fronted by Evan Collingwood, Psykkle has shared the stage with groups like Assemblage 23, Left Spine Down, Hanzel und Gretyl, Atari Teenage Riot, Front Line Assembly, and Slick Idiot, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Psykkle’s full length album “Rock Bottom Paradise” (2011) showcased a new, unique, and diverse sounding featuring vocal by Sabine Tharani. Ranging from aggressive club tracks, haunting rhythmic soundscapes, relentless powernoise, to even dark trip hop. Psykkle have now released their new 2013 cyberpunk, concept album, “Mother Monoxide.”

This album shows the deft skill that that Evan Collingwood and Co. has been honing in recent times. The multilayered soundscapes of the songs are heavy and dark, and at other times, moody and ethereal. “Mother Monoxide” has a complexity that demands several listens. Psykkle use Dubstep influences on this album but I am glad to say that the Dubstep sounds are used in a way that enhances the overall sound of the songs and does not manipulate or over power the arrangements.

If you like your electro dark, pummeling and punishing, then this album is for you. Besides the Dubstep influences, all the familiar Industrial elements are at play; the deep and heavy basslines, the distorted vocals, the masterfully produced soundscapes, and the war torn imagery of an apocalyptic future.

[wp_bannerize group=”Rfooter468x60″ random=”1″]

One of the cardinal improvements in the electronic industrial genre, is the new advances in the technology and the sound structures being used, helping the genre to keep progressing forward. On “Mother Monoxide”, Psykkle push the envelope and develop new sounds, while simultaneously maintaining the gritty basics of songs that hit hard, sonically astound, and leave you wanting more. The album also features Gerry Hawkins of Cryogenic Echelon, as the primary lyricist.

The album contains sixteen tracks which should be listened to in the same way you would watch a movie; without skipping frames and jumping scenes. “Mother Monoxide” demands to be listened from start to finish, after which time you’ll be in a position to choose exactly where to press ‘repeat’. My personal ‘repeat’ choices fall upon: In The City of Nodes , Falling Asleep To Gravity , Switchboard of The Souls , Dreamscapes From The Hive Mind , In The Minds Blind Eye and 2501 [feat Sleepless] .

The two most compelling things about “Mother Monoxide” are the atmosphere and time signatures. This is a very dark sounding album, with many slower songs which have an apocalyptic feel to them; leading to an abrasive sinister atmosphere throughout. However, it is a rather varying album in terms of musical arrangements, with some songs that could be described as aggressive and angry, some futuristic and mechanical, and others that are just downright beautiful…Yet always dark and sinister!

If you like Dark-electro and Industrial electronic music, pick this album up! You won’t regret it. “Mother Monoxide” is an epic musical creation by Psykkle, who have put together an interesting and innovative album, composed with layers of synthesized sonic onslaught…for your listening pleasure!