A monumental task has been achieved by Simon Carter, bringing in 11 very well known names in industrial to the album Start The Sequence.
I know how hard he worked to get reputable and good hearted artists together for this, and I know myself from recent experience how difficult the nuances of compilation can be! Simon has created a wonderful collection of Synthpop and Future pop here, all with a strong undercurrent of Trance, and it is a WONDERFUL experience to listen to! I did ask about the male heavy presence on the album, having known Simon to more often than not work with some incredible women in the industry in most of his releases.. "An excellent question, I wrote to 6 female vocalists, only 2 replied to me (SYZYGYX and Emily Rohn from CHIASM) who were both very polite and complimentary but sadly had no room in their schedule. It is worth noting that Technomancer who provided the vocals on 'Light a Fire' is a Woman. You may notice on the credits for that track on digital platforms such as spotify, they include her female name."
11 guest vocalists have been brought to the fold to help create a very special collaboration album. Truly an international effort with the vocalists hailing from Canada, Germany, Norway, Spain, UK and the US.
Simon has been in the underground electronic music scene for over a decade and has several other projects including 'STUDIO-X vs. SIMON CARTER', 'SD-KRTR', 'NARCONIC', and 'HUMANS CAN'T REBOOT'. Electronic music for the dancefloor!
STOP A MOMENT!
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Review
'What's Gone Before' (feat. Marc Massive of Massive Ego) was the first single of the album and Massive Ego had only just told us they would be slowly returning to the music scene. (Much to my enjoyment as I truly love their work!) Lyrically this track really connects with the listener as we all have quiet contemplations on our past and indeed - What's gone before, there are few better voices to sing something that poignant - as Marc Massive. There are a handful of people I would consider to be geniuses in the field of electronic music - Simon Carter is definitely one of them.
'What's Gone Before' plays true evidence to that with a stunning composure of just the right touches of trance, synth, bass, beats, and of course melody; all the while still holding on to that industrial umbrella in the guise of future or synth-pop. It really is quite a feat to use all of these ingredients together and create something so damn relaxing yet dance inducing at the same time! This is the kind of track I desperately want to play in a nightclub but it fits the vibe of opening or closing time, it doesn't have the dance 'oomf' of a mid-flow club dancefloor, (Unless it was on a more relaxed or genre specific night) but it doesn't need to be, and it doesn't try to be!
This track is an ideal chillout track that is catchy, memorable, and in my books, an instant hit. Therefore, my favourite track on the album by far!
'Dream Away' (feat Ruined Conflict) What a great artist Simon has recruited here aye?! Much like the previous song, this follows thoughts of the past, it keeps a more chillout like vibe, and another very memorable chorus. Xavier's voice is as ever ideal for lyrics full of meaning and passion. Although there are thoughts of the past, this track mainly revolves around dreaming about the future, making this quite the joyful anthem a lot of us need going in to a terrifying year. Brilliant track and I'm proud to see Simon achieve such a top collaboration! 'Infect What You Reject' (feat. for all the emptiness) throws in a higher tempo trance aspect, with peaking synths, a catchy beat loop, and a feel of something from the grand age of early 2000's EDM and Trance. This theme continues through much of the album too.
You infect what you reject, and you no longer have to hide your hate for me within your eyes..
'Nothing Lasts Forever' (feat. Voicecoil) brings a heavier, thump-ier dance beat whilst still maintaining the melodic nature of the vocals in the previous songs. At 2:50 we get a beautiful synth drop and a great sense of atmosphere, one for the mid-flow club for sure!
THIRD REALM.. My goodness do I like a bit of THIRD REALM and how much they explore different styles. So of course 'Cage' (feat THIRD REALM) was not what I expected, but that's always a good thing I think. The tracks start deep, full of EDM potential, yet it kicks in with some nice Gothic style - darkwave vocals.
It's a chill track that keeps your body moving and swaying along regardless of the chill. It feels simple yet drips with complexity, like something luxurious. 'When The Winter Comes' (feat. Damasius Venys of Future Lied To Us / Mental Exile) Firstly, Damasius has a wonderful voice, and having seen him perform before for both bands last year (as well as Simon Carter) at Resistanz festival, it's great to see his inclusion on this release. This track is an anthem, it starts off just as chill as most of the songs on this album do, yet at the half way point the tracks takes the energy and momentum skywards, making it a real bop along number. The instruments and melody remind me somewhat of Solar Fake, so fans of them might love this one. 'Light A Fire' (feat. Tecnomancer) has some real nice trance underlying the track, especially in the later third; For that the track has a great sound to it thanks to some top class instrumentation. Though not quite to my tastes in song I still find this track to be a solid addition to an already strong album. 'Moondancer' (feat. Stefan Netschio of Beborn Beton) again brings in the nostalgic and wonderful trance vibes; and I will always be impressed that Stefan can sing the way he does, it pours through the ears like warm honey, bringing a deep satisfaction to the soul as you get wrapped up in the words being sung.
This is one of the top tracks on the album because it just sparks joy.. Be that through instrumentation, through nostalgia, through pure songcraft, or the energy it exudes.. Whatever it is, it's a winning formula. 'Wenn die Welt sich nicht mehr dreht' (feat. Tim Green of Alienare) is probably the most -industrial- track on the album in a sense of synthpop without the trance aspects. Vocally this is another not to my preference but overall the track is still a strong piece of work and enjoyable. 'Let Me Sink In Shadows' (feat. Alex Erbacher of DISTRICT 13) lays on some quite thick 'emo' lyrics in contrast to the EDM Trance that reigns supreme from Simon Carter in this release. Regardless of the lyrics themselves, the song itself is quote wonderful and cathartic. The piano slowdown at around 3:15 really does bring in a satisfy air of inner peace and calm. This of course though is a Simon Carter release, you don't get to relax and the track end with a nice big cup of GET BACK ON THE DANCEFLOOR! Finally we have 'This Pain' (feat. ENTRZELLE) which is one for Muse fans! Vocally there are some similarities to Matt Bellamy but seemingly much smoother and varied in range. This track really hits hard in the emotions department which I'm sure resonates with a lot of people out there. It's a song about separating from a loved one and it is hauntingly beautiful
The emptiness that echoes now where your light used to be. I tear at the skin of who I have become, to free the sadness deep within, so that I can move on..
Conclusion
Full of passion, vision, and artists with genuine love for music and their fans, Simon Carter has really outdone himself with Start The Sequence! With incredible artists such Ruined Conflict Nation, Marc of Massive Ego, and so many more, I am beyond impressed at this monumental release.
It escapes me how this album has flown under the radar at time of release and isn't the main talking point in the scene right now - especially coming in at the highest new release at number five on the German Electronic Web Charts charts!
This really is one you need to go and listen to right away.
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