Released
1996
Label
Finland Site
Reviewed by
Michael C. Lund
Contact
Cyberwar (at) sci.fi
PO Box 623
33101 Tampere
Finland
Visit
U.S.A. Site
PO Box 2154
Seattle Washington
98101-2154
Last Edit/Update
02 April, 1998
Chaingun Operate
Binary Idol
Track Listing
1. Cybochrist
2. Solitude
3. Monuments of Flesh
4. Dark Goddess
5. Netspace Cowboy
6. Mixed Flesh (mix by CGO)
7.Leæther Goddess (mix by Leæther Strip)
With song titles such as "Cybochrist" and "Netspace Cowboy," Chaingun
Operate immediately reveals their feet as firmly planted in the world of
cyberpunk and William Gibson's fictional universe. The seven songs on Binary
Idol constitute half an hour of dynamic, pure-synth, futuristic soundtracks; two of
them extensively reworked mixes, with none other than Leather Strip being
responsible for "Leather Goddess." This EP -- Chaingun Operate's
debut, although they had been active as a band for five years prior to its appearance --
was released in late 1996 by Cyberware Productions in the band's native
Finland.
The EP opens with the hardhitting
piece "Cybochrist." Throbbing electronic percussions interlaced with metallic
hammerings, and zapping synth effects set the stage for vocalist Joni's
apocalyptic sermon. The song is further underscored by occassional melodies that sound
like latter day Wagnerian symphonics composed around the theme of Brave New World.
"Solitude" is a slower
piece with greater emphasis on streaming synth harmonies. The computer generated
soundscape has an unnaturally clean sound quality, punctuated by piercing metallic
clankings. The vocals are again very dark and melancholy, as befitting the song title,
with occasional media samples used as fills.
Beginning with a bassy loop and
metal rhythms, "Monuments Of Flesh" soon kicks into a highly aggressive,
accelerating cyber-dance-track. In his loudly yelled vocals, Joni decries
science, and man's self-destructive behavior in general, while Carri relentlessly
whips away at the the synth-snare, and disjointed voice samples materialize to support the
dystopic theme of the lyrics.
A smooth, compelling synth loop
constitutes the background theme for "Dark Goddess," which is another more
tempered and melancholy song. The punishment of the synthpads is kept on a moderate level,
and the world weary vocals are given dramatic accompaniment by a soaring, pristine theme.
The repeated sample of the
perennial internet declaration of autonomy: "Information wants to be free,"
along with this song's telling title, makes "Netspace Cowboy" an obvious choice
for a theme song to a film version of Neuromancer. Completing this aural image of
the information super highway is a coursing stream of zapping, bleeping synths, upon which
rides Joni's by now familiar doom-ridden voice.
"Mixed Flesh" slows the
revolutions of "Monuments Of Flesh" down to approximately half speed. The
soundpicture is richer than on the original track, with multiple layers of melodic synths
overlapping, and Joni's voice artificially altered. The track is reworked to a
degree, where only the lyrics give away the original source of the song. The same is true
for "Leather Goddess," which features the presence of Klaus Larsen (Leather
Strip). Again, this remix has more texture than the original piece; more
percussions have been added, along with clear and smooth synths, an effective dose of
reverb, and a prominent melodic theme making the song complete.
Binary Idol will not
disappoint those with a propensity for darker electronic music. The alternation between
fast-paced, beat-driven songs, and slower, more melodically infused tracks, gives Chaingun
Operate's EP a nice balance, which leaves one wishing for more at the end of the
CD.
