RESTRICTED AREA CORE EXCESS + UNDERDOG EP ALBUM + EP EK PRODUKT RELEASE: JUNE 30, 2011 REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

Restricted Area has always been in my peripheral vision. I’ve never really listened to them, but they have been around for a long time, actually since 1994 when Peter Elm started the band. It’s now been seven years since their last release “Fun and Fearless”, and apparently the band has amassed such a wealth of material during this time that they decided to release two albums at once as a double disc affair.

CD number one is the synthpoppy “Core Excess” and as CD two we have “Underdog EP” which is pure EBM. After a couple of listens I have a feeling that the EBM side of things is closer to Peter’s heart; it sounds more effortless and natural.

“Core Excess” does sound a bit forced and uneven, as if Peter’s not used to creating softer tracks. It also lacks strong melodies which is of course is a must if you’re doing synthpop. I quite like “Far Away” though, which is a slow, electronic ballad. However, Peter’s vocals sound a bit too thin and frail when he sings. It fits a lot better with the shouty EBM tracks.

The EBM is of the “Nitzer Ebb 'Belief' era” style, with a slightly bigger focus on fast bass lines. It’s not bad, but nothing that interesting either. We’ve heard all the sounds before. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this double album, but I have to say I’m a bit underwhelmed.

JOHAN CARLSSON