Treponem Pal

Higher (Mercury)
by Rowan-Morrison

Although recycling is considered a good thing for the organic environment, there’s a whole different perspective when it comes to the aural community. Treponem Pal, for example, relies on a handful of previously heard techniques and trappings. Fortunately, some of their familiar aspects can be traced back to their earlier releases, as opposed to some other band. France-based Treponem Pal’s advent material was a metal-heavy behemoth with a thin veil of electronic augmentation (with the metal part being most easily attributed to themselves). However, the synth-basting bits are now more pronounced, and consequently paint the band into a KMFDM-echoing corner. Both bands have worked together before, but it’s safe to say that Treponem Pal is closer to KMFDM than the other way around. Is this a bad thing? If you like pure uncut originality, then yes, but if you believe that most music is a form of reruns, then Treponem Pal’s well-produced and intelligently structured synthcore is a good thing.
(www.polygram.com)