Mi5tergone--Schizophonic
Libradisc 2004
Most electronic music that fails does so in large part due to an absent sense of roots. Fortunately, Mi5tergone don't have that problem. On Schizophonic, they do a masterful job hopping around to various points of inspiration within their chosen realm. The listen that ensues reeks of depth and is certainly worth your attention.
Mi5tergone's sound is an interesting amalgam of electronic music's various related styles. While Schizophonic leans most towards industrial overtoned techno, there are also elements of dance and goth evident in this disc. It all comes off as a seamless blend of Nine Inch Nails, Wish-era Cure, and Erasure. The production is clear as a bell, and though you could argue the vocals might stand to be a little more dry, the densely reverbed and delayed voice certainly accounts for most of the gothic slant present--their baritone pitch resonates deeply.
In terms of craftsmanship, Schizophonic couldn't be much more solid. These synth-string heavy compositions are all quite impressive, Mi5tergone at their moodiest on "Snowblind." This is also a dynamically diverse listen, soft and piano driven on "In Dark Dreams," overpowering with distorted guitars prominent in the mix during both "Lonely Machine" and "Sins & Belief." Still, Schizophonic is at its most compelling on "A God In The Reflection." Featuring a vocal melody which on the surface doesn't really seem to fit the music, this one creates a very unsettling mood, making sense out of chaos.
For fans of any the aforementioned bands or styles, Schizophonic will be a very welcome surprise. Lovers of Pop Will Eat Itself or early Depeche Mode and New Order are also advized to take note. With this release, Mi5tergone have crafted a slab that would've been a worthy addition to the roster of the late Re-Constriction label. Very good, indeed.
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