STISCH HEADS COLLIDE ALBUM SOUND OF HABIB, SUBSPACE COMMUNICATIONS RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2005 (SCANDINAVIA), TBA (REST OF THE WORLD) REVIEW: SEPTEMBER 22, 2005

Swedish based producer Stisch (Tommy Spaanheden) has been recording for Sound of Habib since the label's conception in 1999, so he knows a bit about crafting a tune. Cataclysm, Inquisagon, Incosm and Psycogenetic Soundforce are some of his previous techno-styled projects. His Stisch debut "Heads Collide" is an unusual album for me though, as I think it genuinely gets better as it goes on; the last few tracks on the album being far better than the beginning ones.

On the whole I think this is a fair album, with no faulting the production, but it seems a little bit dated in places. Saying that though, there are some nice tracks here; previous single "Turn Around" with its funky groove and nice vocal stylings, "Bullet" and the dirty-synths of "When I'm Here". For me though, the best track of this set is "Feel the Curve" - a very claustrophobic, atmospheric track. Spaanheden has invited guest vocalists for some of the songs: Magnus Carlson from Weeping Willows (for the first single "Beauty in Me", see review), Nina Natri from Homy and Walter Ego from Fused.

I can't go overboard about this electronic album, as I think there are some decent tracks, some standard tracks, but too many average slow numbers.

MIKE WHYTE