Released
1999

Label
Metropolis Records

Reviewed by
Kim Alexander

Visit
Mentallo & The Fixer

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Last Edit/Update
06 May, 1999

Algorythum

Trrack Listing

1. Intro
2. Systematik Ruin
3. Gamma Ray Antenna
4. Proxima
5. Unearthed
6. Choice Flaw
7. Carbon Based
8. Stumbled
9. Revelry
10. Luminaries
11. Resonant Echo
12. Remnants Past
13. Theme

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Guests on this release include:
Chris Cline -- V Drums, Samples, Acoustic Guitar
Jonni Pyre -- Vocals, Sequencing, Programming, Backing Vocals
John Bustamante -- Vocals, Backing Vocals, Addtional Synths
Tood Kreth -- Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar

This CD is in Memory of Danielle Dassing.

     Nice treat from Gary Dassing and friends with Algorythum. As usual, their music portrays more than just listening pleasure for pleasure sake, but takes on a story like effect from track to track. The beginning of this release has low drone minimalism, rather unsettling, that broadens into a noisey collage approach into track two, "Systematik Ruin." Drum and synth step up the pace and move into that famed offbeat direction that Mentallo and Fixer are so famed for, the rolling semi-chaotic percussion and background echoes of voices moving throughout the music...this track is really smooth and it seems effortless from which to listen. Track 3 and 4, are very smooth and powerful but in a gentle sort of way, not harsh as in a good deal of past Mentallo releases, but these tracks are more rounded out, rough edges smoothed down, more drum and bass and a lighter touch if you will with the synths and programming.
    Spooky and eerie synth and vocals abound on track five, "Unearthed", quite experimental and again, not quite as harsh as past releases...noise yes, but not that harsh demanding noise, until you get into "Choice Flaw", which is a bit more on the chaotic side but then smooths out into a drum roll, wind instruments, angelic peaceful harmonies and and ebbing synth into vocals and high pitched synth with an exotic persussion going on in the forefront sweetly blending into the wholism of the piece. Nice changes.
    "Carbon Based" is a rather eerie piece, quietly blending a minimalist beat with winding buzzing synths and gently treated vocals in the background "All stuck in space we come face to face to prove our existence and our ignorance. Nothing can do to stop the trend is it our own true fate? Perhaps and guide us through empty skies all stuck in space." This sounds like a prayer of sorts, and a questioning to a higher being not of our world/dimension, of the disbelief in our own Fate as a Species and how we got into this mess in the first place. This is one of the more beautiful tracks on the CD and is about seven minutes in length.
    Track eight "Stumbled" is a bit boring to me, synth bass line is repetitive as are the drums, not a whole lot going on in this one, but then it seems to bridge mid CD to the last five tracks. If you are looking for similar sounds from Mentallo & The Fixer's past, you won't find them on this release. What you will find is a more peaceful overall work of music with a touch of noise, a good deal of programming on the more gentle side of things and some experimental in terms of how the release congeals in continuity to bring about a new direction for Mentallo & The Fixer. People who were really interested in the last few CDs might very well be in for a brief interlude of "let-down" by Algorythum. I do think however that given enough turns in your player, it may grow on you.

Watch your words;
they become actions

Watch your actions;
they become habits

Watch your habits;
they become character

Watch your character;
for it becomes
your Destiny!"

Excellent Cover Art.