| CD REVIEW The Psyke Project |
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Band : The Psyke Project "Apnea" is a medical term for the condition during which there's no movement of the respiratory muscles, a condition which can be attained voluntarily (by simply holding one's breath), be induced (mechanically, by i.e. strangulation, or by drugs), or occur as a consequence of a neurological diseas or trauma. Recent research has shown that quite a few people "suffer" from apnea during their sleep, a situation which can be the result of, or result in, anxieties or anxiety attacks. But well, it's also the title of the third full-length of Danish (Copenhagen based) quartet The Psyke Project. As it happens so often, four school friends (singer Martin Nielskov, guitarist Mikkel Vadstrup, bassist Jeppe Skouv, and drummer Rasmus Sejersen) found a common musical ground (in their own description) in Hardcore with influences ranging from Punk to Hardcore Metal. The band opened proceedings with their 2001 demo Everything's Fine, followed a year later by the You're So Beautiful demo. Following the self-release of their debut full-length Samara in 2003 (an album recorded/ produced by Tue Madsen, who would continue to work with the band on future releases), the band was enabled to play quite a few shows and even a couple of festivals (among which the 2003 Roskilde Festival). In 2005 the boys signed to Copenhagen based Copenhagen Sound Recordings, who would release their official debut full-length Daikini that same year. With a hightened profile and a warm reception of the band by both media and music fans, the band was able to do their first European tour. Also, the guys were nominated in the Danish Metal Awards in 4 categories (best album, best live act, best debut album, and best website), a couple of nice festivals ensued, and the recording of their first video (for the track "In The Mist"). 2006 continued the success story with a new European tour and articles & interviews in such highly praised Metal magazines as Terrorizer, Metal Hammer (UK, German, and Greek version), Rocksound UK, Kerrang!, and others. In the Autumn of 2006 followed the recording of a new music video (for "45 Tears") nd the signing of a management deal with CPH Sound, plus a show at a completely sold-out Danish Metal Awards! The Apnea album was originally released (Scandinavia only) on April 2, 2007, and followed by a huge Spring tour. Again, the album got loving criticism in the Danish press, and the band got to visit the Spot and Roskilde festivals for the second time, finally got some MTV airplay, and were invited to do the Scandinavian Headbangers Ball Tour. At the Danish Metal Awards, the band was again nominated in several categories (best album, best production, best live band, best music video). But mid 2007 was also the moment when the band's label decided to drop 'em! Not because of bad sales figures, quite on the contrary (the band's sales figures are second only to Volbeat), but things were simply becoming to big for them. In February 2008, the band was pleased (and certainly releaved) to announce that they had signed to Lifeforce Records, whose first deed would be to re-issue the Apnea album for world-wide distribution. With the warm reception the album had gotten in Scandinavia, the label felt the rest of the world would certainly receive the album positively as well! Over the years, the position of guitarist has occasionally changed, the original six-stringer first being replaced by one Simon, whom decided to leave in October 2006 because of other interests. As temporary replacement, the remaining trio hired "Masterchief" Sune to help 'em out with the 2007 Spring tour and festivals during Summer. His work done, the band decided to pick up contact with Mikkel Vadstrup again, so it's in the original line-up that the band now goes through life. When looking for the words to describe the band's music, I felt a need to put down some of the band's own words, who claim to find a motivation stemming from a profound love for the dark and brutal sound of Hardcore and the sincerity and honesty in the statements by most bands from that scene. The Psyke Project seeks to create an intense chaotic sound mixed with heavy riffs and beautiful epic passages. In essence, the band plays with Post-Hardcore alà mid-'90s Neurosis, putting in odd time signatures and atmospheric passages which have a Doom tension more than often, but also going all-out every now and again. Depending on the song, you'll find the guys either in a calmer or wilder mood, or in a need to express bóth emotional states. Of course, this happens with alternating vocal styles going from all-out aggressive (Hardcore) screaming to rather clean (not Emo, mind you!) You can check out their stuff at myspace.com/thepsykeproject, where you'll find two tracks off 2005's Daikiri next to two ("I Get Paralyzed" and "Panic", the first also in video form)off Apnea (more video material includes the above mentioned first two videos by the band, plus an early rehearsal version of the Apnea song "Physical Romance"). At the homepage of the band's own thepsykeproject.com, you'll find an additional track in the overall calmer album closer "Not In My Time". For the uninitiated, TPP music may come over as somewhat weird at first, but give the Apnea a second chance, and you will grow to love it, I'm sure! Personally, I was into it from the get-go, in spite of the reviews I'd already read. These days, a lot of so-called music journalists use the terminology of "Metalcore" whenever they don't feel like delving into a band's backgrounds (even when that info is provided in a biography), or are simply in a lazy mood! Whatever, the album is top class, and should be checked out by fans of Doom or Stoner, as well as the unevitable fans of early Neurosis, early Isis, and the lot. Don't expect a copy-cat situation though! This is quite an original sounding act, in spite of the fact that it lends from others!!! As you must've guessed by now, this is another "Best Albums Of 2008" nominee in my book! Definitely a band to be on the lookout for, and I'm sure they will be making it big some day (providing the members are willing enough to persevere and build up their fanbase gradually)! P.S.: at the Danish Metal Awards they must've felt the same, because after the previous nominations, the album was nominated in the category of "Best Hard Rock Album" for the 2008 edition of the awards (happened in February). Meanwhile, the Danes have already started the writing sessions for new material which will be recorded come next November at Studio Fredman in Sweden. If you're interested, the band posted a short documentary made on them by Film & Medie Copenhagen (as a blog on their MySpace page), which includes clips from the Roskilde festival and the rehearsal room. Titled Boybandet Fra Helvete (Boyband From Hell), it IS completely in Danish, so you won't understand a lot of the interview section (which makes up the majority of the footage), unless you're a linguist or happen to be of Danish extract. 98/100 Tony. |