Reaper:
"The Devil is Female"

Track list:

01. The Devil is Female
02. X-Junkie
03. She is a Devil and a Whore
04. X-Junkie (Club Mix)
05. 0190
06. X-Junkie (Shnarph Remix)
07. X-Junkie (Grendel Remix)
08. X-Junkie (Distatix Remix)
09. X-Junkie (Syncrotek Remix)
10. Execution of Your Mind (Live)
11. X-Junkie (Revolution By Night Remix)

Total Play Time: 54:26

Reaper's prior releases (the "Angst" EP and "Hell Starts With an H") were good releases. Hard-edged, and club friendly music with a tip of the hat to the EBM style of music. That style of music is carried forth on the new "The Devil is Female" release, but I felt like the songs were a bit more memorable this time around. That could be because of the sexual references that over half the songs contain (the original version of "X-Junkie" and it's 6 remixes, along with the track "0190"), but the presentation is nicely done. Sure the song's are 'in-your-face' with their graphic topic, but there is a nice twist.

Upon first listening to "X-Junkie" you immediately notice the 'censorship bleeps' that are used to cover up the use of explicit words. Two things about the bleeps though. They aren't used for every explicit word, just a select few; and they oddly enough seem to enhance the song versus take away from it. The remixers all retain the censhorship bleeps, sometimes mixing words around or throwing in additional samples to keep the mixes fresh. The "Distatix Remix" is a favorite, which sort of breaks the song down into a standard verse-chorus-verse stlye. The 'chorus' parts have this uplifting effect to the song, further invigorating it's dance friendly nature. The other remixes are also club friendly, with the exception of the "Schnarph Remix", but this isn't a bad thing. Schnarph's remix slows the beat down, and adds in an additional background synth that carries the song along in a sort of tranquil way. It's contrast to the faster versions is refreshing, and a nice break in the middle of all the songs that are high energy in presentation.

The non-"X-Junkie" songs all contain vocals, with the exception of the sample filled "0190" (at least I presume it's a sample taken from a non-personal source?!) which work well with the songs. Notes from each of those songs: 1) "The Devil is Female" has some depth to it which is interesting. There is a synth that fades in and out like the tide in it's background, and something that sounds like it could be a guitar sample which gallops along with the beat for a nice effect. 2) "She is a Devil and a Whore" is my favorite track, with it's use of a guitar again accompanying the beat; and with vocals which are catchy. 3) "0190" progresses slowly from a sample of what seems to be a phone sex coversation, into a steady beat with additional layers of sound effects smoothly added in on top. 4) "Execution of Your Mind" is a pretty standard 'live' track, which I am not always a fan of; but this one does a good job of catching the energy in a Reaper show, so it's a fun track.

Getting great club style music is always fun, and this Reaper release provides that aplenty. Getting a good variety of remixes in, and then presenting it all at a decent price is to me a sure way to success. This is a release that I could see getting people hyped to either hear the other Reaper releases again, or for the first time if the listener is new to Reaper's storm to take over a club's dance floor.