Released
July 1999

Label
Metropolis Records

Reviewed by
Jason X

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Last Edit/Update
29 September, 1999

X Marks The Pedwalk

Retrospective 88-99

Track Listing

1. Facer
2. Abbatoir (Razormaid Mix)
3. Drawback
4. Never Look Back
5. Monomaniac (Mix)
6. Maximum Pace
7. Paranoid Illusions
8. I Promise You Murder
9. Wipe No Tears
10. Arbitrary Execution
11. Ten Miles
12. No Premonition
13. Look On This Side
14. Sweep Hand (Timeless)

               X Marks the Pedwalk [XMP] have been in the industrial scene since the late 80's. Since then, they have been involved with a few side-projects such as Hyperdex-1-Sect and U-Tek. Comprised of Sevren Ni-Arb and Regan Eracs, these two veterans know their work. After what seems like a decade of music gone by, 1999 saw the year when Metropolis Records released their greatest hits album, Retrospective 88-99. For those unfamiliar with XMP's music, this album is a perfect introduction into their world.
              The first song, Facer is a pumping dance song with the beats blazing with energy. The remix of Abbatoir is beat crazy with a sound similar to a Frontline Assembly song. Drawback is slower in that it has that dull beat sound to it like a chug-a-lug. The female vocals help make this song have a more romantic, gothic feel to it. Never Look Back reminds me of older new wave music with it's soft and harsh vocals mixed with a 90's electronica beat to it. Monomaniac (Mix) has an electronica sound to it with digitized and reverbed vocals to it. Also note that the main chorus has digitized vocal to it.
              Perhaps the fastest and most danceable song on the album is Maximum Pace. This track has a sound that sets itself on the boundaries of current rave music. It's beats and rythym are fast paced and make the body move to it's stellar grooves. Paranoid Illusions has a new wave feel to it. The synthesizers and the rythym have that familiar 80's sound. I Promise You Murder combines the dual industrial vocal with robotic voice to create that other-worldly sound. Wipe No Tears has a boot stomping beat to it. The song itself makes one want to get up and stomp, of course. Arbitrary Execution has a machine beat to it with Sevren's harshest vocal yet to be found. He sounds like an evil grinch ready to steal Christmas. It also contains a few wicked samples from the videogame Starcraft! Ten Miles contains female vocals to make this song have a gothic/industrial appeal to it. With piano inserts and atmospheric synthesizer, it has this ethereal feeling of lust. The dark sounds of No Premonition buzz with an evil rythym. Much like how the next song, Look On This Side is displayed. A funny note is that they use wrestling samples such as Hulk Hogan's famous, "Whatchoo gonna do brother.." line. The final track on this album, Sweep Hand sounds like a farewell song. It is as though it was appropriately placed last to tell the listener goodbye and thank you for listening to this recording. A beautiful, mellow and soft tune that relaxes as well as moves the emotions. I almost felt a tear come out.
              For a decade of music, XMP have surely shown they have a place in the industrial scene. Their proper electronic placement in songs is well orchestrated that it seems almost flawless. Also noted as an influence in Evils Toy's sound, XMP do have their distinct sound. A diverse collection of songs that range from harsh to mellow, Retrospective is the perfect album to become introduced to X Marks the Pedwalk!