MASSIV IN MENSCH DIE REIN ALBUM ART OF FACT RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2002 REVIEW: AUGUST 20, 2002

Jumping around to music in your apartment is a good way to let off steam. I once danced so hard my wristwatch broke loose and slammed into the wall, splitting into small pieces on the floor. I won't delve deeper into this, except I can tell you that this album made me jump around like mad once more, although aware of the risks involved. Good thing my neighbours are on vacation, because I cranked "Die Rein" up pretty loud too.
I had never heard of the band before, so when I put this disc into the player I didn't know what to expect. The three Germans in Massiv in Mensch make mainly instrumental EBM-techno, which might not sound that exciting at first. Buy what separates this band from others though, is their sense of melody, variation, and the fact that all songs are fast and furious without relenting one bit. Every track on the album is a potential smashing dance hit. This tends to bore me after a while, but in smaller doses this album really delivers. Put any song on the PA system at your local club, and my guess is that the dancefloor will fill up pretty damn quick.
This is a very German band, with that country's famous precision built into the music. They also have song titles such as "Maskulin" and "Mein Erstes Bonbon", and German movie samples are floating around all over the place. Unfortunately, I haven't heard their previous efforts, but apparently this album is much more techno than before, so if that isn't for you, you might want to hold off.

JOHAN CARLSSON