TOLCHOCK WIPE OUT, BURN DOWN, ANNIHILATE ALBUM COP INTL RELEASE: MARCH 10, 2006 REVIEW: APRIL 2, 2006

Tolchock is almost a guilty pleasure for me. Former Tolchock 14 exist in a bubble of guitar-flavoured EBM from the late 80:s and early 90:s, untouched by time and probably proud of it. The aggressive synthesizer machismo of this Swedish veteran duo is an anachronism in a world that has witnessed the advent of modern electronica, and the listening experience can be likened to meeting your old school buddies for a nostalgic night with one of the fantasy role-playing games you used to play back in the days.

Sounds kinda nice to you? Yeah, well, it is, at least up to a point. The Tolchock style is pretty darn danceable and catchy, despite the quaint techno trash riffs, movie samples and lyrics that sound like the coolest words cut and pasted from the back catalogue of Front Line Assembly. On the other hand the relentless pace is tiring, a sonic action movie without any romantic interludes or character development.

I think I’ll just leave my brain in the cloak room and enjoy this. I may end up with my head down the toilet before long, mind you.

MATTIAS HUSS

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