MALAISE RE-ASSIMILATED EP MEMENTO MATERIA RELEASE: MARCH 10, 2003 REVIEW: MARCH 28, 2003

This extremely delayed EP sees Swedish once-electro-now-goth band Malaise embracing electronics once again. And with skills too, I might add.
The opening is grand with the excellent and energetic dance-fest “Walking Through the Wonderland (2K2 remix)”. We are served with nothing but heavy and melodic music throughout, with Martin Danielsson’s dramatic voice on top. Of course guitars are still in the picture, and the vocal style reminds us of the bands heritage. I think it's reminiscent of Dance or Die at times, but that might be just me though…
The hyped cover of “Assimilate” is however nothing to write home about. Clumsy and without the fluid groove of the original, it doesn’t work for me. I guess it does sound a bit like Malaise though and to add your identity is in my eyes one of the main objectives in making a cover. But why try to imitate Nivek Ogre's singing style?

JOHAN CARLSSON