Published by Davide Pappalardo on October 3, 2018
C-Tec is a legendary side-project originally formed by Jean-Luc De Meyer (Front 242), Jonathan Sharp (New Mind), and Ged Denton (Crisis NTI) as The Cyber-Tec Project in 1995. After the release of the CD Cyber-Tec (Synthetic Symphony, 1995), Sharp left the band, replaced by Marc Heal of Cubanate, and the band’s name became C-Tec. Under this new moniker they released the albums Darker (Synthetic Symphony/Wax Trax!, 1997) and Cut (Synthetic Symphony, 2000), helped by names like Rhys Fulber, Haujobb, and Doug Martin of the reggae/dub project Dub Nation. Here they showcased a sound going well beyond EBM/electro-industrial, featuring downbeat tempos, elegant and moody textures, and even faster episodes, especially in the second one. A sound full of different takes and emotions, enriched by De Meyer’s allusive poetry and Heal’s love for rhythms and syncopated electronics.
After a very long hiatus, now the project has resurfaced with a North American tour, featuring DeMeyer, Heal, and Denton, as well as Sean Payne of Cyanotic on drums. At the same time, both Darker and Cut are re-released together in a new remastered version on UK label Armalyte Industries. Two albums characterized by sound with many elements of late 90’s industrial, broken rhythms, guitar riffs, evocative synths, orchestral passages, but at the same time with a unique aura and atmosphere. Each release is enriched by a bonus track, giving us a definitive edition of the second period of the project.
Darker starts with Random and its sharp sounds interspersed with broken rhythms and sudden distorted samples. The track grows into a bass-driven juggernaut, without forgetting the aforementioned elements, while De Meyer adds his beautifully delivered vocal lines. Foetal features a throbbing synth-line, upon which ominous vocals are layered. The crescendo explodes with hard drum sounds and fast beats, delivering a techno affair with compulsive snares and cutting riffs. De Meyer surprises us with some screamed vocals, while the nervous structure uses stop and go moments to capture the listener.
The Lost is a noisier number, featuring static lines and slow sounds, suddenly adding grim chords. Then, a steady rhythm introduces a beautiful key melody, conjuring a sort of mutant synth-pop moment in which De Meyer shows his more emotional side, guided by orchestral elements and captivating loops. Stateless is a classic club moment, starting with cutting arpeggiators and employing faster sounds as the track progresses. It becomes a mid-tempo mantra with robust beats and seductive snare drums. The bonus track My unbreakable code is a crawling affair with crooning vocals and Numan-inspired sci-fi synths, a melancholic litany full of pathos. De Meyer gives his best with his tormented vocals, showing why he is one of the best vocalists in electronic music once again.
Cut is opened by Brutal and its syncopated drum sounds underlined by pulsating lines. De Meyer crawls among the sounds with his usual seductive yet harsh vocals, perfectly placed amidst the obsessive crescendo. Sharp distorted riffs complete the scene, giving us a track sounding modern even today. Gesellschaft combines factory-like steel drums, pounding rhythms and grating riffs. Then, it evolves into a techno/EBM mantra with hypnotizing structures, among which the Belgian vocalist shows himself with severe and seductive vocals.
She left is a sort of ballad, a beautiful piece with melancholic synths and cinematic atmospheres, graced by one of the best performances ever by De Meyer. The track employs orchestral arches to give musical form to its story about a broken heart. Cut…lacerate assaults us with its throbbing rhythmic pattern, delivering a frantic electro-industrial ritual with cyber-tribalism and sudden sampled riffs. Another example of the captivating crossover of sounds employed by the band, focus of an enthralling variety. The bonus track Until we disappear starts with static sounds, then adding a growing line with a cinematic feeling. De Meyer’s whispered vocals generate an emotional mantra, while minimal electronics enrich the episode. A cadenced rhythm guides us among nostalgic retro sounds, to great effect.
Two works which deserve to be rediscovered by new listeners, an important page in the history of electronic music, showing different facets and graced by great artists. Every track has a story and a meaning, and we have no fillers or dull moments. While many albums of that time didn’t age so well, here we have timeless classics made to move us, guide us, or assault us, but never to leave without an impression. Recommended for any music lover in the world.
Label: Armalyte Industries
Rating: 9