Review Summary: Detroit Diesel’s debut did dazzle.
For a harsh EBM group, Detroit Diesel’s
Lost Signals contains oddly accessible music. There’s no doubting the abrasive qualities of the chalkboard scraping screams, and I’m certainly not questioning the overall volume of the EP – it is the music’s feeling that I find varies from the genre’s normative. In layman’s terms,
Lost Signals sounds harsh, but it does not feel harsh. Is this a problem? Absolutely not, because this variant of harsh EBM is designed for the dance floor, and its cacophonous yet accessible sound will certainly move crowds. However,
Lost Signals is equally as enjoyable through a computer’s speakers or headphones, and therefore it receives a recommendation.
‘Lost Signal’ is the first original song, an atmospheric dance number with a futuristic, underwater sound (my inner geek draws comparisons to Stargate Atlantis). The song is truly captivating once the chorus hits due to its cold, offbeat synth pads and absolutely massive feel. Detroit Diesel never duplicate the amazingness of the first track, but the remixes of it do prove interesting. The ‘(SOMAN Remix)’ is a poppier, and simpler version of ‘Lost Signal’ that is easier to process. The ‘(FREAKANGEL Remix)’, however, is completely overwhelming. From psytrance influenced synths to distorted guitars to excessively bone rattling screams, this remix leans toward harsher territory. It also signifies a turn for the loudest, as ‘In The City’ follows in the wake, with an equally destructive, very harsh EBM song. Surprisingly, despite Detroit Diesel’s experimentations, this debut EP proved to be musically consistent. It was smart and simple enough to work, and experimental enough to intrigue. This EP has also stood the test of time, as the music within is as enjoyable as it was upon its release. All in all, a great debut that created a solid foundation for the industrial group.
