LEÆTHER STRIP
FÆTISH
DOUBLE EP ALFA-MATRIX RELEASE: OCTOBER 31, 2006 REVIEW: NOVEMBER 25, 2006


Anger. That's what you get with this one from Claus Larsen. He's not been this vitriolic in sometime, folks so enjoy it while it lasts. Previously, he was being an introspective lass but now Leæther Strip are stomping the shit out my ears again and it sounds stupendous.

"Manic Aggression" and "Punktured Eyeballs" will someday be regarded as definitive examples of what this inventive Dane is the master of, electronic music perpetually on the offensive. This is not to say it's all screaming mania and unnerving precision, but bloody hell he's packing some serious thunder on "Fætish". I know many have bemoaned his rather prodigious output as of late but I for one am not complaining in the slightest. The 2006 version of his athemic track "Adrenaline Rush" is exceedingly well done and is an improvement on the original. Congrats on that front, Claus, few can pull a remake off so flawlessly.

I really could have done without the "fetish" photos which fans sent in as most are a waste of time. Yawn.

Mr. Larsen also gives the die-hards a bonus EP cleverly entitled "Hælloween", his take on the classic John Carpenter theme from said movie. It is faithful to the original but for some reason he added vocals to his version and well, I have to wonder why.

This is Laæther Strip as we've not heard him for a long long time, and it sounds remarkably current considering just how long he's been around. Nicely done.

PETER MARKS

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