Monolith – Talisman CD

Description

A hypnotic descent into what its makers call ‘tribal industrial techno’, “Talisman” (2006) is the work of Belgian heavy-electronics outfit MONOLITH — the duo of Eric Van Wonterghem and Hilde Ivens. Rhythmic, ritualistic and richly textured, it threads pounding beats through Middle-Eastern-tinged melodies and science-fiction soundscapes.

Sampled and spoken voices drift over relentless machine pulses, building an atmosphere equal parts dancefloor and dark ceremony, before closing track “I Became You” lands in classic early-’80s EBM territory. Immersive and singular, “Talisman” is a rewarding listen for adventurous fans of industrial and body music.