SPETSNAZ DEADPAN LTD ED DOUBLE ALBUM OUT OF LINE RELEASE: NOVEMBER 2, 2007 REVIEW: DECEMBER 17, 2007

After releasing a very Nitzer Ebb-sounding debut with “Grand Design” and then exploring that territory even more on “Totalitär”, Swedish duo Spetsnaz now present “Deadpan”. The result is an album where they both stay close to the original sound but at the same time try something new.

At the Arvika Festival some years ago I got treated to a demo recording made by Pontus Ståhlberg, Spetsnaz singer. I was really impressed by a Depeche Mode-ish song and since then I’ve been waiting to hear more varied songs from Spetsnaz.

And now I can. This album is a new start for Spetsnaz. They stay close to their original sound, but we also get a couple of songs in a more laidback style. “Allegiance” is a perfect example; the classic EBM-beat is slightly toned down to make room for the vocal track, the result being more electropop. There might be some hardcore body freaks out there complaining about the step towards this slightly more experimental style, but I must say that I really enjoy this.

The first 1 000 copies come with the bonus nine-track CD “Dead Angle” where it’s title track stands out as great; it should have been included on the actual album. In total we're served five new songs, including a ballad, some live tracks and a remix.

It’s exciting to see a band like this adding a slightly softer side to its hard sounding body music. I can’t wait to hear what they will do next.

TOBIAS ELIASSON

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