V2A - Mechanized Infantry(2009)

V2A are a british based Industrial/ TBM that formed in 2001.  In only a matter of months they were playing festivals like Wave Gotik Trefen(WGT) and Gothic Industrial Party (G.I.P). After their first album sold out in months fans had to wait until 2009 for this album to be released.

This release starts off with a punch and sounds promising to start off with. Stahl-Tanz if played in the right place and setting could be very danceable. It lets its self (and unfortunately for me liking) a lot of this album as it sets into a very repetitive setting. I do however like the heavy kicks and noise aspects.
Jesus Loves You is one of their songs I had heard live at the legendary Infest (Bradford, UK) 2011 and I really enjoyed it live, listening to it on Audio how ever you realise that without the live energy behind them it does get repetitive which is a shame.
Mechanism gives us a slightly different start to it, I also got to see this live too. Its one of the more noise influenced tracks which succeeded in getting people dancing. Another noise influenced song is Contagen which is very catchy as well as en-capturing there cyber soldier theme very nicely.

3*
Its not a bad album but its nothing new either. Its frustrating to hear the same synths/basic song structures in every song. However having said that there are people who are fans of this structure in music and I believe that they would love this duo. Then again if they put more into song writing and really applied themselves they would become less repetitive in lyrics, structure and synths.With it you can tell they don't take themselves seriously which works in favour for them. personally this isn't my cup of tea but I'm sure there are plenty of people that will get on with this album a lot better then I do. Be warned though this album isn't just offensive to one group of people... It has a cheeky dig at everyone.


Tracklist:

1. DK
2. Stahl-Tanz
3. Jesus Loves You
4. Zero
5. mechanism
6. Contagen
7. Demons
8. Kill-9
9. Electro whore
10. Body Hammer
11. Judda
12. Mercy Is For The Weak
13. Deliver Us From Evil 

Infest 2011 (sunday)

The last day of this years festival rolls around and there's been a couple of changes to the schedule due to Julien-K not being able to make the last leg of their European tour(the UK part).

Sci-Fi Mafia

Last year you'd be forgiven for thinking there wasn't really a crowd as such for the first band because everyone was either too tired of hungover. This band however wanted to prove us wrong and in a big way. They were Sci-Fi Mafia. Prove us wrong they certainly did - pleasant on everyones ears, providing a show with there own burlesque girls and angle grinder. Not only that they sounded awesome and drew in a decent crowd for first thing Sunday. Definitely an awesome way to start the last day.

The next band were Analog Angel. They were supposed to have been the first band for the day until Julien-K unfortunately had to drop out. Again this band weren't really to my taste but they had a strong fan base in the crowd. I took this opportunity to chat to friends I hadn't seen for a long time which was lovely.
Shiv-R were another band that I wasn't too fond of on audio when I checked them out but seeing them live they sounded a bit better. Again they definitely had a fan base in the crowd, I found myself dancing to them as well but having said that I wouldn't personally choose to listen to them in my own time.

Darren doing Goth Karaoke

Karaoke

Next in my busy weekend was to check out the new to Infest Goth Karaoke which was well worth it just for the laugh with the hosts sarcastic yet sometimes mildly offensive or disgusting jokes which luckily no one took personally, all in spirit of the weekends bands and events. One of my friends Darren decided to entertain us with his rendition of The Rocky Horror Picture Shows Sweet Transvestite and entertain us he certainly did.

After many many laughs (and some not so good singing) it was time to go and see Mind.In.A.Box who were one of the bands I was really looking forward to seeing. They were stunning to see live as well as sounding incredible. Totally blown away they didn't play for long enough in my opinion to which im sure people will agree. They got me in the mood for  the dancing that was soon to come.

Sonar were noisy yet poetic. Dancing ensued, the crowd filled the air with glow sticks and the atmosphere was electric. The day had picked up pace quickly ready for when VNV nation were to play. The hall was packed out, the floor was filled, people on the stairs all wanting to see them play.
They sounded phenominal and the crowd went crazy for them. They played some of the songs that we love and some new things off their automatic album which seemed to go down a storm. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy their set and the atomosphere was amazing. They even gave the crowd a fitting tribute to Sophie Lancaster.

Over all the weekend was as brilliant as ever. I made a few more friends yet again and had brilliant fun seeing old ones alike. The shopping stalls were fantastic and the bands were amazing. The band that made this weekend for me was Mind In A box

Infest 2011 (Saterday)

After getting a semi decent nights sleep and waking up to a beer its time to check out this years stalls. Shopping had the wonderful Jed Pheonix full of hand tailored suits and alternative wear, Mico Couture with there fabulous latex garments, Heresy for all you corset needs, Spank with there luscious PVC and cyber wear as well as many more (of course including the sponsors non-stop music).

Today our first band is V2A, a trio of cyber troopers providing us with a good way to wake people up and prepare them for the rest of the

V2A

forthcoming noise. These guys were actually quite enjoyable and I wouldn't mind seeing them again as they had a good stage presence, used it well and got some good crowd interaction as well.

Next to don the stage was Maschinenkrieger KR52 vs Disraptor. Wasn't expecting much from this pair but I was surprised by their energy on stage and their live sound. It was more raw and gritty then on CD and there was an electric feeling running through the crowd as more people were dancing and joining the main room. These guys were kicking some serious dance floor ass and they brought it hard.

Alien vampires donned the stage next but I have to say their attitude spoilt it, as they seemed very arrogant unlike the other bands. Despite this though there set wasn't bad and the majority of the crowd enojoyed them and I was glad I checked them out just to say I've seen them if nothing else.

This next lot I have to say deflated the night a little as they were very basic and repetitive with their loops and felt flat. Having said that some people were enjoying them and dancing, they just didn't do anything for me.
Xotox on the other hand I didn't expect much of but I found myself again surprised at how awesome they sounded live. They filled the room with noise and dancing!

Hocicio

Time had flown by which meant it was time for todays headlining act. Hocico. Not normally being a fan of them I thought id check them out to see what there like. Wow, they put on an awesome show and they sounded fantastic. This day was full surprises and I was far from complaining. More then pleased I checked this Mexican duo out - they set out to impress and mission was accomplished. The entire room was packed full of people dancing, singing and enjoying themselves. This was a very good way to end an overall brilliant day of the festival.

Infest 2011 (Friday)

UTURNS

After a (very) long drive we finally make it to Bradford! Yet again the student union buildings are holding this years Infest event! Timings this year were slightly different to last to give people a better chance of getting to the venue but it did mean it stayed open longer.

The drinks were flowing and people were catching up with old friends, To kick start this years events it was U-Turns. The best way to describe these guys are if Scissor Sisters and Scooter had an electro pop punk love child. They hit with the heavy beats mixed with funky and diverse costumes which put on for an audio and visually awesome way to start the festival. It was a good way to wake everyone up.

Code 64

Definitely in the festival mood now I was really looking forward to the next band that were playing. Code 64, one of the bands that had persuaded me that I needed to be here - although a little disappointed that they weren't headlining. After a couple of technical difficulties they kicked off their set in style and certainly didn't let it stop them. Some of there set included songs old and new like Progenitor and a fitting tribute to Tom with Without You. Bjorn had some brilliant crowd interaction ('Are you ready to fuck the dance floor?!') and his pure vocal style combined with Hasse and Christian's mechanical prowess provided for an awesome show. They definitely stole the show.

The headlining band wasn't my personal cup of tea however Tactical Sekt however they did put on a good show and they certainly had a good fan base there as support. There were a lot of people dancing and they deserved everyone they got.

After more catching up with people I hadnt seen since last year and meeting a few more it was time to return to dorms to prepare for the next audio and visual assault to the senses... In the best way possible.

Modulate & Deviant UK live at southampton talking heads 28/7

After a mad dash home from work to get changed and pick up my ticket off the fridge I make my journey to the Talking Heads to see some home grown English talent Modulate who are being supported by Dreams Divide and Deviant UK.
About half an hour after arriving however we hear that Deviant UK and Modulate hadn't long left Manchester and were on there way to the venue. The reasons for which weren't clear at this point.

Dreams Divide

After hanging out for a bit with friends Dreams Divide start there set. I knew I had heard of them from somewhere but I wasnt entirely sure but it all became clear. They had a simple but effective stage set up with the 2 members David and Gem. They put on an energetic performance which got a some people dancing through out there set. It was when they played there last song that it suddenly clicked why I had heard of them, in my last DJset I played Puppet Love which sounded awesome live! You should definately check out these guys and see them if you get a chance.

Deviant UK

15 minutes before there set Deviant UK and Modulate finally manage to make it to the venue after minibus mix ups and motorway drug busts on the M6 and various other incidents. After a quick sound check and a stripped down version of the live line up(minus Mark as his drum kit was stuck in York) they soon cracked on with the show. Im not really a big fan of Deviant UK it has to be said , however seeing them live was enjoyable. Jay added a bit of comedy to the show by announcing to the crowd that not having time to change his trousers were falling down and he was going Commando. Then they chucked in a cover of Scooters I Love Hardcore which was unexpected but interesting(in a good way) at the same time, so naturally had to dance. During there set more people were dancing which was good to see.

Modulate

Not long afterwards was the moment we had been waiting for as Modulate donned the stage. Even with next to no sound check they rocked the place. Lots of people were dancing(how could you not?!), myself most definitely included. They played songs off there Skullfuck EP like the title song and there cover of Prodigy's No Good to some of there new tracks for example Nightmare and Boombox. Unfortunately because they hadn't had time however there was no robot suit but they made up for it in solid beats and showmanship despite a couple of errors. They turned them around though with there comic wit by saying its a 'new live track' and playing little riffs over the feed back that had randomly occurred. In the middle of there set they chucked in a cover oh Faderhead's Dirty Girls which went down really well. By the end of their set everyone, the band and crowd alike, were damp to say the least which is a clear sign of an amazing gig with epic dancing times involved. This was definitely worth paying the money for and I for one would love to see them again, if they happen to come back to Southampton even better!

Me and Geoff(Modulate)