Wizzy Noise - "Elecktro Theater"


	May 10, 2003 - Text: Sequential-X Wizzy Noise return with their second album (third in total) on Candyflip Records "Elecktro Theater", more full on than ever with ten dancefloor friendly tracks that promise to rock the floors world wide. Sadly despite the name there is no "Elecktro" on the album but surely many tracks are so highly charged that someone could call them "elecktrified". I would like to comment a bit on the artwork before I will head on with the review. I believe you know what the scientists say about the women response to bass and where it hits them. Well, Micky sure hit the right spot by placing those headphones there ;)

	In a more serious mood opener "Radical Payne" kicks off like a drunken bull. Heavy phat production and full on character plus some melodic touches to keep the balance right. A very explosive way to start an album and a very nice track too. Follower "Screwheads" comes in a remix form and it gets a bit darker and gloomier than "Radical Payne". Many things happen across the journey but I am slightly getting bored after a while with this one.

	Named after the album or vice versa, "Elektro Theater" has a reputation to stand up to and it manages well despite the high expectations. A bit brighter than the previous ones and a lot bouncier this track would be mostly remembered for its tick-tack breakdown. Nice tune. "Paradise Lost" is the finest example of what "in your face" really is all about. Straight to the juices this one has distinctive metallic stabs and offbeat techno overtones to keep the floor rolling and what a great impact that has. Probably my favor out of this album.

	Next is "Mental Discipline" which calms thing down a bit before getting stronger and angrier at the end. Despite the esoteric peak I still can not get into this track… "Demented Drum Part One" is a fast paced track. A dancefloor pleaser with strong echoes of The Delta sound so expect some clever use of percussion sounds and marching rhythmic elements. Very nice track indeed.

	"Timeline" follows next which eases the pace again. Usually I hate the "classic" 3/4 motor like bassline but in here the manipulated percussion loops and arrangement are so nice that after a while the bass becomes transparent. A groovier little journey that is. Follower "Demented Drum Part Two" shares the same path with part one. Fast and furious trance for those late hours. The thing is though that it doesn't add much to the album since almost every aspect is covered and explored by the first part.

	"Dreamwave" which is next, in a really weird way sounds like "Mental Discipline" (at least on the main driving rhythm) with its flanger driven beats and cowbell drops. Much more quirkier though with a stronger and smoother esoteric peak, I believe it is a much better track. More mind boggling too!! Finisher "Outmosphere" despite being a really nice word play seems like a try from behalf of the Wizzy duo to depart from their typical rhythmic structure into something more upfront and therefore funkier. As a try I must give them credit for trying out although the result is not a top track but not a bad one either. Sounds like a teaser from the next generation of perhaps funkier sonic experiments by Wizzy Noise. But that is only a guess though!

	Overall as is usually the case with "European" releases I am a bit out of my waters. You see I am not a keen full on fan so some tracks I may not like not because they are bad but because I just do not like the style. This creates mixed feelings and cross faded thoughts but one thins is clear. Wizzy Noise know their thing well. There are things I "see" in their mixing techniques and arrangements that "shout out" about their ability to make nice music -maybe not groundbreaking but still nice- in their genre of interest.

	Especially the fact that they mix layers of sounds in there with some being just audible to keep the rhythmic structure alive and dynamic is a sample of their progression as producers and musicians. Detailed programming and tight mixing is something I like and Wizzy Noise know how to do this right.

	Another thing I would like to mention is the fact that some tracks appeal to me more when I listen to them separately than into the album. I believe this is a side effect of the fact that I do not like full on trance as a genre so after a while I become "fatigued" and "distracted", in other words, I get bored of the full on sound formula. Judging by this, I would say that full on fans would love this album and just to cut the long story short if I was about to buy just one full on album this year that would definitely rock the floors you know which one I would choose. Another strong and solid release by the Candyflip posse.

	Wizzy Noise - Electro Theater 1. Radical Payne 2. Screwheads (Remix) 3. Elecktro Theater 4. Paradise Lost 5. Mental Discipline 6. Demented Drum Part One 7. Timeline 8. Demented Drum Part Two 9. Dreamwave 10. Outmosphere Candyflip Records 2003 © CFRCD05.