VARIOUS ARTISTS STROMSCHLAG VOLUME 1 ALBUM ELECTRO SHOCK RELEASE: MAY, 2003 REVIEW: JUNE 2, 2003

Electro Shock Records is another one of those labels presenting themselves through rarity compilation outlets. This time there is quite a wide range of styles included, which is commendable, but a bit overwhelming from time to time.
Vorsprung durch Technik open with a piece called "Klang & Bild", mostly sounding as if The Chemical Brothers had scored a gig in a jazz club and altered their sound accordingly. Following is classically built synthpop in the shape of German duo All for One and their bouncy track "The Stars" remixed by Sub-Zero.
Most of the tracks included are by well known, established artists, albeit sometimes in new constellations. Nik Page from Blind Passengers teams up with Dirk Scheuber of Project Pitchfork in the track "Shape My World", but does not manage to impress. Joke Jay, former musician and occasional vocalist of And One, contributes with the rather aggressive sounding "Fette Leber" and the Robert Enforsen/No Comment-collaboration "Phoenix" is also present in a new, exclusive remix.
Tracks from Page of Quire, EBM newcomers Severe Illusion, Project-X, Dupont, T.O.Y. and Sabotage as well as a few lesser known bands make up the rest of the track listing for "Stromschlag Volume 1". It is a pleasant experience most of the time, but like any other compilation it has some annoying duds thrown in as well. What should be really intersting is to see what band will be the first to sign to the Neubrandenburg based Electro Shock Records label.
It is managed by Jens Krause, who contributes texts to our News section from time to time on an independent freelance basis. I don't know him and this review is of course written like any other review.

NIKLAS FORSBERG