This is the debut release of one of Germany’s most sought-after Dark Electro/Industrial-acts, which has finally found a decent label home with the Bavarian-based Klangdynamik Records. Consisting of Arnte and Schmoun, this female/male-leaded duo presents a sort of Dark Electro music in a classic manner. Heavily inspired by the works of acts like MENTALLO & THE FIXER, older X MARKS THE PEDWALK, PUPPY or PLACEBO EFFECT, the dark-minded sound of the early 90ies generally, can be found and discovered in the music of NORDSCHLACHT. For some of their tracks you’ll have to add a rather sedating IN THE NURSERY-like cold mood (“Strokes”, “The Sear And Yellow Leaf”) to get a nearly complete idea for a comparison. While the band name hasn’t any further or historically explainable meaning, NORDSCHLACHT offer an outstanding debut from the very first instrumental track “Fortune Of Humanity” to the last tune, “Forrester (FAZE remix)”. Their well-thought arrangements and synth-textures can be called epic, they always fill in thick, melodious, but also cold-minded synth layers. Dancefloor-compatible and beat-oriented tracks are in a minority (“Adrenaline Overdose”, “Forrester (FAZE remix)”) here, this music is rather constructed to get consumed on your home entertainment or a good pair of headphones. Mostly Arnte takes care to provide the main vocals, which are sort of distorted whispers mostly subtle integrated in the mix. Schmoun gets her inserts too, offering a clear, almost romantic sounding performance (“Causality Paradox”, “Don’t Let It Go” – what a catchy track!). Besides the known formula of reflecting social-problems and failures of mankind, some rather scientific content like cybernetics (“Forrester”) or mathematically problems (“String Theory (Album Mix)”) can be discovered in their lyrics as well – quite unusual and unexpected. The whole album comes out quite tastefully arranged and aggressive moments are really reduced. I guess seldom before a debut release could impress that much with such a coherent and majestic outfit like this one. Take the recent OBJECT-recordings or FIX8:SED8 and fill NORDSCHLACHT in this fine line – Germany’s multi-layered and complex arranged Dark Electro-league marches forward and grips to the stars. /Chaindlk by Marc Tater/