Retractor:
"The False Memory"

Track list:

01. Bless The Enemy
02. All Children Go To Heaven
03. Victims of Flesh
04. We Are The New Blood
05. Resurrect My Glory
06. Annihilation
07. Sacred Law
08. Where You Belong
09. Fire In Me
10. In Another Life
11. Will of the Union
12. The False Memory
13. God In My Head
14. All Children Go To Heaven (Electro Mix by Hermonic)
15. W.O.T.U. (United Mix by Life Like)

Total Play Time: 77:11

I went into listening to Retractor's first full release on COP "The False Memory" without much knowledge on what their music sounded like. I ended up getting not only a good release, but one of the most interesting albums that I've heard in the very diverse industrial genre.

I've been looking for the words to use which describe Retractor's style of music, and it's been tough. It's a hybrid of several styles in my opinion, with only the best elements being chosen from each. There are distinct beats, but it's not just about bombarding the listener with an infectious beat and a catchy hook to provide simple entertainment. There are vocals in the majority of the tracks as well, and they vary ever so slightly from track to track; which kept me engaged with the music. The vocals are spoken rather then sung, and have various levels of distortion and echo which meshed well with the music itself. These are vocals that are meant to be understood, so there was a good effort put into making the beats, synth lines and vocals compliment each other.

Many of the tracks show depth also by not just jumping straight into the beats, but allowing the music to progress there naturally. Some of the introductions to the beats are quicker then others, but the album has a fluid nature to it at all times. The songs seem to be at a medium level BPM once they get going, not a frantic club beat; but they do at times get a foot tapping and are not completely devoid of dance appeal. The music as a whole seemed organized so that the listener would always be getting a new aspect to enjoy or be immersed in. I find it rare that I can say an "industrial" album can have some even minor dance appeal and/or an edge, while also some introspective moments all at the same time.

I can't really pick individual tracks from the album as favorites, because they all have a unique greatness to them that can be enjoyed from track 1 to 15 whether played non-stop or hand picked. Even the two remixes at the albums end seem designed to be part of the albums fluid layout, and not just tacked on additions to the release. While I am not familair with either remixer (Hermonic or Life Like) I can say I was impressed with each of their takes on Retractor's music. They bring a wonderful and different angle to each song, and not just minor tweaks to the originals.

Furthering my astonishment of this release is the crisp, and very interesting artwork on the CD inserts. I'd recommend this release to people in a heartbeat, for it's an all around well packaged release. It's not a light hearted, electro-pop album, but it's not a hardcore EBM stompage either. Retractor walks the line quite while between being about the beats and club appeal and a group offering music to stimulate your mind.

Reviewed by Bry'n
03.04.08