By Darren Allison
LAWA, the Austrian synthesist Alain Leonard
and drummer Alex Wank, have combined again to deliver a dark and brooding
nightmare vision with their latest nod to the electro European scores of the
past with 'Manipulation' (Cine 27). With Manipulation, the emphasis is largely
based upon sterile, heavy electronics and progressive pounding percussion, very
reminiscent of the industrial soundscape which dominated so many of the best
synth-based scores of the 80s. The album offers a tense and dramatic selection
of tracks which are both heavy and dark, so you certainly won’t find any
hillside harmonies here, 'The Sound of Music' it ain't!. In fact, LAWA’s approach
paints a very dystopian picture, a ‘steampunk’ society of paradise truly lost.
But one shouldn’t be disillusioned by the prospect of nightmare scenarios and
visions of a nuclear holocaust, as LAWA’s approach is both varied and
effectively executed.
A great deal of the tracks lean more towards
a dark, synth-pop vibe - and (in most instances) laced with an impending threat
of horror and doom. 'Manipulation' does however offer a listening experience
constructed of many different flavours. Tracks like ‘injection’ are slower,
pulsating tension-builders and could easily form the basis of any Italian
Zombie movie, while tracks such as ‘Konstrukt’ make the apocalyptic sound
practically joyous with its infectious throbbing backbeat. 'Manipulation'
certainly transports you and has the refreshing ability to keep you guessing
throughout.
'Manipulation' is a beautifully produced album
with a deep, punchy audio range. LAWA’s LP has been pressed on an attractive
mixed black and blue 180g vinyl with a black inner. The cover design is
reflective of its industrial theme, and comes as a UV Spot varnished sleeve.
This is a vinyl only release and is limited to just 500 copies (300 in the
black / blue vinyl and 200 in solid black).
Whilst 'Manipulation' is available now, it does
form part of a 2-record set. Its sister record release, 'Instrumentalisation'
(Cine 28) will also be released separately on vinyl at the beginning of 2023.
Furthermore, there will be a CD Version with both albums featured on one CD.
This CD Edition comes with an alternative, combined artwork and will come with
the vinyl edition of Instrumentalisation. This is the reason behind Cineploit’s
decision not to release a dedicated CD edition of 'Manipulation'. The CD Version
will have an alternative track order.
Cineploit are offering some special pre-order
deals, so it’s worth checking them out at their site at www.cineploit.com
(Darren Allison is the Soundtracks Editor for Cinema Retro magazine.)