Implant - "The Productive Citizen" limited boxset 2xCD

Solid but generic electro

Belgian electro outfit Implant has been around for over 20 years, believe it or not, and this is their 9th studio album.

The opening cut, "Lord Knows I Tried", is a fine mid-tempo electro stomper with guest vocals from Claus Larsen of Leather Strip. "C.C.C.P.C.C.T.V." follows and is a deep and slick club cut that reminds of Front 242 gone more disco. "The City" is straight-up synthpop -- think early Depeche Mode meets Leather Strip, whereas "The Game" is moody and atmospheric electro.

Disc B is packed with 12 remixes, standouts including Leather Strip's mix of "Lord Knows I Tried" (complete with old-time blues samplings ala Recoil) and Pankow's mix of "C.C.C.P.C.C.T.V." (which is a slamming good time). Other cuts range from industrial techno to trance, and seem pretty well disposable.

Overall, solid work, if lacking a bit in character and depth.

Alfa Matrix

Implantspace

Pankow - "..And Shun The Cure They Most Desire" trailer

I am excited to report that my favorite forgotten Italian electronic/industrial rock act PANKOW has a new double-CD release, out in America on Metropolis Records (and Out Of Line in Europe). "..And Shun The Cure They Most Desire" features plenty of new tracks, most with new vocalist Bram Declercq. Original vocalist Alex Spalck (who also wrote most of the lyrics) returns for several tracks, as does Paulo Favati, who is legendary for his productions and remixes. Disc 2 is a set of new remixes of classic Pankow cuts like the immortal "Me And My Ding Dong", "Sickness Taking Over", and "Gimme More". Check out this teaser sample of the band's new material. It's a nice throwback to their classics from the late 80s and early 90s. Long live Pankow!

Pankow page at Metropolis