AUTODAFEH IDENTITY UNKNOWN ALBUM SIGSALY TRANSMISSIONS RELEASE: FEBRUARY 1, 2010 REVIEW: JUNE 8, 2010

The brand of EBM associated with vintage Front 242 has not been embraced much in later years, when it comes to retro trends in the electronic music scene. The old school, more minimalistic sounds of early DAF, Nitzer Ebb and the like seem to be the mold for the new breed with a taste for the old.

Swedish trio Autodafeh does at times sound identical with 242, complete with a screaming Richard 23 sound-a-like in the background. At the same time, their songs are almost on par with what the Belgian legends created back in the eighties. Pulsating rhythms and snappy vocal outbursts with nerve and power. As expected, their biggest weakness is the almost ridiculous Front 242-ripoff, but "Identity Unknown" somehow manages to stand on its own anyway. On this, their second album they have included a remix by Daniel B from Front 242.

Slightly more original ideas added to their nostalgic recipe would have helped them reach higher. I'm afraid their legacy now may end up being "the Swedish Front 242". For good and bad.

NIKLAS FORSBERG