Review Summary: The iconic futurepop group known as Covenant released their first record in 1994, conveying a darker, more industrial style than their 21st century counterparts. Dreams of a Cryotank is raw and honest, with menacing melodies and morbid lyrics. Any fan of
Futurepop is probably one of my favorite genres, utilizing synthesizers to their main purpose, which is to create sic-fi/philosophical sounds which scream pretentiousness and sophistication. In my opinion no act does this better than the Swedish band Covenant. You have VNV Nation, you have pre-2006 Apoptgyma Berzerk which are both worthy contenders, but Covenant has always set that "tomorrow's world" tone so well, with club thumpers like "Dead Stars" and "Tour de Force" to name a few.
But early Covenant was far different from its turn-of-the-century style. Futurepop was not a thing until the late 90s, and the grunge-era was murdering electronic music of all kinds (particularly synth pop), save industrial. The three college students Eskill Simonsson, Joakium Montellius, and Clas Nachmanson were infatuated with electro-industrial legends such as Front 242 and Nitzer Ebb and used this as inspiration for their early material. Enter Dreams of a Cryotank, a lethal record with eerie sounds and booming emotion.
The first track "Theremin" is still to this day a classic Covenant track, with its punch of a sound and dark chords. The lyrics are threatening and empowering, "We dance to the sound of sirens, and we watch genocide to relax", which adds to the catchiness and depth of the album. "Replicant" follows with a more slowed down pace, Eskill's vocals dominating the song with its cynical view of violence and religion. "Shipwreck" is similar, with its submarine sound opening and very catchy hook about drowning. "Painamplifier" is weaker, almost an instrumental dance beat with unclear vocals.
The album picks up again with "Hardware Requiem", a very infectious up-tempo track with impressive lyrics. I would even describe it as having a very commercial sound, in spite of its darkness. The next track, "Shelter" is a favorite of mine, even if it takes awhile to start up. The vocals are sophisticated, and its fear of nuclear destruction makes one's skin crawl. Track 7, "Wasteland" is an adoring dance track with cold sounds and gloomy subject matter.
The last few tracks become more and more up-tempo. "Voices" is a weaker track with a bit of a schizophrenic foundation and awkward vocals. "Edge of Dawn" is better, a club-type track with a mean bassline and epic atmosphere. Then follows my favorite track on the album, "Speed". It begins very subtly with gripping vocals and then kicks into high gear with the chorus, "fail against my domination". One of the most empowering songs ever, but I must say the club version on the Theremin EP is much, much more epic. The last track "Cryotank Expansion" is a 25 minute track that has nothing but cold sounds, I find it useless.
In spite of the simplistic sound, a few misses, and undeveloped vocals by Eskill, this is a must have by any Covenant fan. The modern philosophical depth is still here in their industrial days, and the dance-tracks are just as well done as "Dead Stars". Very good for a first record of a band trying to find their identity.
