This
album, according to the liner notes, is to compensate for the lack of
singles from the Maldire and Subconscious Landscapes albums.
Additionally, it states in print what Bryan has been discussing
online, that this may be the last VAC release with a physical copy.
Going forward, VAC may be a digital-format-only project. This would
sadden me, as I like physical copies, especially after the excellent
sound on VAC's first vinyl release, Subconscious Landscapes. This
'remix' album is more a snapshot of the last few years in the VACcuum
world, including songs from the live sets of VAC's return to the
stage. So, now for a song breakdown:
1.
Christ Whore (God Module Mix)- [original version on Maldire] a
different, clubbier version is presented here. While the original
version has much wetter leads, this version has snappier ones with
trance tinges in the mix instead of the somewhat gothic choral
voices. The vocal delivery is stronger in the original but the echo
in this version backs up the trancey feeling. A different version
neither better nor worse than the original, to my ears.
2.
Eye H8 U (Decoded Feedback Mix)- [original version on Subconscious
Landscapes] this version ups the toybox qualities of the leads,
stretched over a dancier bass line that makes me want to move. The
original is much darker with some evil choral voices alternating with
the toybox leads that feel more eerie in the original, more tender
here. I prefer the original but this is a cool take!
3.
Inhale Blood (Dead Hand Project Mix)- [original version on Maldire]
with a bassline already set for heavy dancing, this track only needed
a slight re-arrangement and accentation to make it a nasty club hit.
This mix however took a different route than I would've, making a
very different version from the original, with the remaining recognizable bits exact ports from the original. Amusing as an
alternate version, I still much prefer the album version.
4.
Big Time Operator (Featuring Rodney Anonymous) (Dead Milkmen cover)-
a cover featuring the Dead Milkmen's vocalist, Rodney Anonymous,
singing over VAC's interpretation. This is the result of a chance
meeting (of the minds, haha) between Bryan of VAC and Rodney of DM at
a show, in which Bryan got to sing on stage with the 'Milkmen. Played
live during the 2014 NYC show with Rodney himself present for this an
the next track on this remix album. This version is very fun, even more-so than the original as it now has some really dancey beats.
5.
Lust (Anonymous Mix)- [original version on Lust For Blood] a newly
recorded version featuring Rodney Anonymous again on vocals. The
guitar has more reverb on it here, and the other instruments are
clearly re-recorded, with essentially the same song arrangement. I do
miss the left-to-right distorted vocal shift though. As this is one
of my favorite tracks from one of my favorite VAC albums, you can
trust my ears to be critical. That stated, this version is awesome!
It puts me right back in the front row at the VAC show as Rodney
screamed into my face. This version is practically worth the price of
the album.
6.
Sex Disease (2014 Mix)- [original versions on Neuroblastoma demo,
Church of Acid, and Between The Eyes Volume 4] This version is much
cleaner, with the leads much more audible. It's slightly shorter but
similar in arrangement. I prefer the dirtier, sadder, earlier
versions, but this one's good too. Hopefully inclusion of this track
with heighten interest in the VAC back-catalog. The production is
similar to that of Maldire, I'm guessing it's likely that the same
equipment was used to record this version.
7.
Dire (Disease Factory ov VAC Mix)- [original version on Subconscious
Landscapes] I was pretty excited for this version as it was Bryan
remixing one of his own songs, which normally has great results, but
is especially interesting as the songs on Maldire and Subconscious
Landscapes underwent many changes to fit with the developing tone of
each album. The Art Of Breaking Apart album was beautifully
unbalanced, but the following two albums took a much more cohesive
approach to song writing and I know that songs were shifted for
earlier or later release based on emotional impact. Anyway, this
version is musically very similar to the album version, musically,
with some extra glitchy fills and very heavy sampling. An interesting
version, but I prefer the original as its emotional tone rings out
more clearly with less bells and whistles.
8.
Even Now (Slightly Tweaked Mix) (Edward Ka-Spel cover)- [from
Dependence 2012 label compilation] This rare song is included here
for those who didn't buy the compilation. An interesting cover, this
feels like it could be an upbeat VAC track (rare as they are). The
electronics are lush and enjoyable. Bryan wisely keeps the vocal
delivery to his own range (though clearly challenging himself),
keeping something of the feel of Edward Ka-Spel without aping (as
this would be exceptionally difficult anyway). It's very cool to
finally own this track!
9.
Klaglas- [unreleased] again viewing this album as a snapshot of VAC's
last few years, a chapter closing and a chapter opening, perhaps, I
was very excited to hear an unreleased track. Reportedly many 'good'
tracks were dropped from Maldire and Subconscious Landscapes due to
ill-fits with the album vibe. This track is an instrumental. It's
brooding and catchy, I really dig it as chill out music, but agree
that it would have needed extensive reworking to fit in on either of
the last albums, albeit maybe as a closer on Subconscious Landscapes
(though Empusa's dark samples and depressive, almost pleading synth
lines go a great job already!).
10.
Bend The Sky (Dead When I Found Her Mix)- [original version on
Maldire] I really like this remix, it takes the themes from the
original adds expands upon them creating a world much more deep and
epic. The overall effect is of some super-mix from Calling Ov The
Dead and Lust For Blood; very eerie, very dark. A strong contender
for best remix on the album!
11.
Barbed Wired Garden (Assemblage 23 Mix)- [original version on
Subconscious Landscapes] As Assemblage 23 have some really catchy,
melancholic songs, as well as some really great remixes, this was one
song I was really hyper (cursed) over! The remix starts out quite
slow, adding a dull, lulling edge to the song. About halfway through,
it picks up a bit but the overall pacing is on the subdued side. A
good remix but I expected something catchier from A23.
12.
Dystvonya- [unreleased] another previously unreleased track, likely
not deemed appropriate for album inclusion for tonal reasons. Like
Klaglas, Dystvonya is a great track but alas would not have fit on
either of the last two albums. A severe piano lead gives way to some
beautiful choral voices with overlays of anti-carnivore samples. There
are some trippy acid synths in there too, making this a fairly
complete VAC track, also sounding much older than it is, say from
Calling Ov The Dead. This vibe only increases as the song
progresses. Dark, trippy, hateful, with tender overlays might be the
best descriptors. Again, somewhat of a slow-burn but the transitions
keep it interesting. I'm very glad to have heard this song, it's
quite good!
13.
The Last Goodby (Controlled Collapse Mix) [original version on
Subconscious Landscapes] while the original sounds very much like a
leftover from the Hex Angel album in synth voice choice, arrangement,
and emotional tone, this mix is quite different. The feeling that
immediately comes to mind is post-2000 Front Line Assembly covering
Pornography-era The Cure. This is the only other song to hold up
against the Bend The Sky remix!
Missed opportunities/ideas
for further remixes
So
here's some ideas that I have formulated (in my own egotistical way)
for future remixes. I won't hold my breath for an Agoraphobic
Nosebleed remix, so these are some more realistic ideas:
1.
Evoked (:Wumpscut: Mix)- this one should be pretty obvious. I mean,
Bryan and Rudy go way back, :W: is a labelmate and already has a
whole album called Evoke. Maybe another Remix War album should be in
the works around this concept?
2.
Hyper Curse (Hyper Mix)- a gabber remix of this should be a thing.
The title demands it!
3.
Ominous Rattle (Toxic Coma Mix)- as much as I love the title's
inherent conjuration of the sounds of those dying and those
approaching death, instead of making some eerie mix filled with Latin
incantations and TB coughing samples, I submit for your approval a
totally different path: babies crying and a toy rattle sample with
diaper-wet leads and fart sounds.
4.
a Tangerine Dream cover. This would be a great way to add some creepiness and danceyness to a classic while getting to really run
some electronics through their paces. Mysterious Semblance At The
Strand Of Nightmares would be awesome tripped out, VAC style.
5.
a Depeche Mode cover. Though many come to mind, Black Celebration
seems the most suited to VAC for its sad vocal delivery. I'd love to
hear a Sadder Still-type version of this!
