INTERLACE IMAGO ALBUM MEMENTO MATERIA, DEPENDENT RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2004 REVIEW: OCTOBER 7, 2004

Dave McKean’s cover is impressive, as ever. It’s the first hint that Sweden's Interlace have a sense for quality and tries a bit harder than many other bands in the industrial/EBM genre. They distinguish themselves by having no presets, precise production and by actually having a singer that can sing (even though he mostly whispers or screams).
A heavily layered, groovy and slick electronic backdrop is the foundation Interlace build on. They have not taken the easy route of adding an obscene amount of distortion to everything à la Wumpscut or Suicide Commando. The distortion box is well used, but “Imago” is more about dark, moody soundscapes, with many not too subtle nods towards Skinny Puppy, and actually even Klinik at times.
This album is pretty different from the debut. This time around it sounds more complex and I dare say, mature.
All this praise aside, the “it’s all a bit samey, innit?” effect comes into play fairly quick. It’s a shame, because with a bit of trimming and variation this album could have been rated really high. One track at a time, it’s a blast.

JOHAN CARLSSON