Dark Metropolis
Darkhan, 2021
8/10
A German outfit who possess the post-punk spirit of the ‘80s as well as the electro-rock of the ‘90s, Vector Seven certainly know their way around creative synth and throbbing bass lines, and here they bring nostalgia and grit to a quick but exciting listen.
“Carnage” starts the album with dense synth and a firm beat as a dark electronic punk climate unfolds with a throbbing intensity, and “Shirakawa Type 3” follows with a spacey, cinematic approach that’s certainly dance floor friendly amid some ethereal bouts of unpredictability.
In the middle, the thicker “Militech” flows with no shortage of waves of synth alongside the ominous backdrop that carries a playful sci-fi feel, while “Breach” is a more melodic, even dreamy display that buzzes with an immediately memorable energy.
Closer to the end, “Combat Zone” and “Arasaka HQ” are among the best, where the former carries some subtle New Wave nuances packed into the pulsating personality, and the latter weaves in and out of calmer moments of lightness, where vocals are used like an instrument and woodwinds make an appearance at the end.
Somewhere between cyberpunk and synthwave, Dark Metropolis will settle in quite nicely for fans of bands as varied as New Order or Prodigy, and everywhere in between, too.
Travels well with: Lueur Verte- Crystalica; Subduxtion- The Black Point