A lot of ground has been covered since
Fetish 69's 1996 noise-metal album Antibody (on Nuclear Blast) and this two-CD set presenting an unusual mixture of techno, illbient, metal, and digital experimentations. Jazzy grooves ("Incompatible-Mutation") alternate with harsh metal vocals ("Hyper-Real," "Repeat the Past").
Dysfunctions and Drones collects 18 collaborations with artists such as Mick Harris, Toxic Lounge,
James Plotkin,
Tribes of Neurot, and
Pita. Disc one, titled "Dysfunctions," is dominated by the techno-metal side of
Fetish 69. Disc two has very little to do with drones, but the music could be considered more laid-back and exploratory, the collaborations with Winfried Ritsch ("World Lockdown") and
Pita ("Pblood") taking the listener the farthest into avant-garde territory. Overall, the music on both discs feels dysfunctional: disquieting vocals, gloomy textures ("Misanthrophobia-Distortion," mixed by
James Plotkin, has long creepy tones obtained through granular synthesis) -- not the kind of record to put on at your little nephew's birthday party. Disc two also contains two videos by Einar and Suk & Koch. Techno fans who like their music more disturbing than what Photek or
Fatboy Slim have to offer should check it out. ~ François Couture