CYCLOON
SCENT
MINI ALBUM SCANNER, WONDERLAND RELEASE: JANUARY 28, 2002 REVIEW: MARCH 18, 2002

Cycloon is a one man band consisting of Axel Kleintjes. On this limited edition mini album, he offers seven tracks mixing industrial and EBM built with rhythms and loops.
Almost the entire work feels consistent with high pace tracks which make you want to move your feet. It is built on modern EBM beats spiced with noisy or industrial sounding loops. These loops most often make it a lot more interesting, adding a new and delightfully distorted dimension to the music. The typical vocals do not prevail over the music but exist in the background, behind the drums, bass lines and trance sounds.
A couple of tracks break the pattern. "Activated (System Upgrade Version)" is built on a distorted hip hop sounding rhythm, which really does it for me. This track should have been instrumental, but there is an annoying female voice saying "system activated" a few times too much. Although, this is nothing to become indignant for.
"Arkain Scent (Single Edit)" is another track differing from the rest. It is absolutely clear that Axel made this with Nivek Ogre present - in his mind. In fact, this is the absolutely best Nivek Ogre imitation I have ever heard. Add a mid-paced, really cosy rhythm plus skilful arrangements and it is complete. Yes, this track is a real gem, but very different from the rest of the material and basically the only track that isn't dance floor oriented.

JOHAN ASTEMARK