CD Reviews
Skemer - Benevolence | Review
Skemer - Benevolence
October 2019
AVANT! Records
Skemer illuminates the darker aspects of the album "Benevolence" with the first release, by AVANT! records, on October 25th, 2019.
Two very different worlds collide and lead to minimalist dark wave deconstructions that are equal parts brutal and erotic.
Scenes from another planet,black vinyl clothes, bloody creepy landscapes, all accompanied in a sensual dance, to add here that their influences, mostly as aesthetic to me, reminds those of Nine Inch Nails.
The dark electro duo from Belgium is a brand new cooperation between singer Kim Peers, who is also a model for Vogue, Steven Meisel, Prada and the guitarist Mathieu Vandekerckhove, of post-metal band Amenra and his personal project Syndrome. Skemer taking their name from the more literal English meaning of "intriguer" as well as the word for "dusk" in Vandekerckhove's native language, West-Flemish.
First track on the list is "Shout or Cry" starting with a very dark and quiet introduction that touches the very weak human feelings, so eerie, the minimal sound, compared to electronic elements and gives emphasis particularly on bass!
"Sunseeker" is a great song, as well,maybe the best dance beat of the album, mood and gothic atmosphere evokes of Eiko in Coppola’s Dracula, so romantic and bloody tender. The electronic beats become as dark and sensual it should be, bass holds the beat high, guitar riffs full of atmosphere with a post punk sound, complete this song. The fusion of dance rhythm and low deep vocals makes the perfect combination!
"Rhoeas" it's a song with melodic vocals based in a seductive rhythm. Then comes the song ''Best'', where we have a faster rhythm with industrial sound that perfectly
matches with animatronic voice lines. Then comes ''Call Me'' with an alternative guitar sound and dreamy vocals. With a taste of a post rock melody, so divine that travels me out of space!
Next one is ''Heartbreak'', a little bit different from the other songs. Sound holds the same minimalistic electronic mood with alternative rock elements based mainly on guitar riffs that upsets you in the 02:44. Enjoy it!
Last but not least, is "Wait For Me". Here we have a low tempo, dreamy vocals and gothic background, as we can distinguish by listening to the keyboards melody.
Without a doubt we can say that Skemer have their own personal sound from different but similar elements directly connected to each other! We hope to see them performed on stage as soon as possible.
Info:
LP: http://bit.ly/skemer-benevolence-lp
Digital: http://bit.ly/bandcamp-benevolence
Learn more: http://bit.ly/facebook-SKEMER
