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Fiend Magazine reviews Shiv-r “Parasite” EP

Shiv-r is a new project combining two talents in Australian industrial music: Pete Crane (from The Crystalline Effect) and Ben Bulig (Stark, Neon Womb).  As could be predicted, when these two twisted minds meet, the results are amazing.  Shiv-r opens with the long and intense Parasite.  This is one of the best dancefloor industrial tracks I’ve heard in a while, and this should be haunting clubs by the time you are reading this review.  Relentless beats, amazing synths, snarling vocals, this track has it all.  Shiv-r quickly follow this track up with some slower and more moody tracks.  However their skill as songwriters and producers really shine here, they can clearly make great tracks for the home as well as the nightclub.  I wish I could say that for some other and much more famous acts around at the moment.  The only problem with this release is its length (five tracks).  We want more!

4 Stars.
Review by Leon Tranter
Published in the August 2009 issue of Fiend Magazine.

 

Chain D.L.K reviews Shiv-r “Parasite” EP

This is the debut release of a quite interesting Australian-based newcomer act, but with prominent and experienced Electro/Industrial-musicians hiding behind. SHIV-R is the new playing field of Pete Crane (better known with his Electro-Pop project THE CRYSTALLINE EFFECT, signed to the Hungarian Advoxya Records) and Lee Bulig, the brainchild behind the legendary but unfortunately gone Harsh-Electro act STARK. Three original tracks plus two additional remix works by each of the both artists are featured on this first audio sign of life. The title track is of course the main track here, a hard and straight-forward oriented danceable Hellectro tune, which luckily adds niches for a well-done listening procedure too. Pete takes care on the male vocals and he does really well with this, better than expected. Also both additional tracks ”Fractured Light” and ”Control” aren’t that straight oriented and leave enough room for the listener to consume without to discover another plain Tekkno-oriented bass drum hammering . Oh, and the use of guitar riffs subtle integrated aren’t forbidden for them – a good idea for some variations is always appreciated. A quite promising and well done debut, let’s hope for more of these both talented musicians soon.

4 Stars
Review by Marc Tater

Review originally published at Chain D.L.K Zine.

 

Gothtronic reviews Shiv-r - “Parasite” EP

“The Parasite EP of the Australian EBM industrial project Shiv-r kicks off immediately with a pounding dance floor bomb which is the technoid EBM title track. Shiv-r is a prpject formed by Pete Crane (known from the electropop band The Crystalline Effect) and Lee Bullig (known from the now defunct dark electro band Stark). The club centred sequences and beats on this debut EP get company from ethereal neo-classical sounds, which make this Australian project have resemblances with the also young Dutch project Schwarzblut. ‘Fractured Light’ contains next to the club accessible beats a sound which is more focused on atmosphere and has vocals that bring to mind the successful days of Front Line Assembly. ‘Control’ goes a step further even and leaves the dance floor with a slower pace yet it is a very haunting track with horror sounds and effective use of guitar. The final two tracks are remixes of ‘Parasite’ and ‘Control’, of which the first one with its trance influences is very much focused on the dance floor. Shiv-r doesn’t bring any renewing input to the EBM scene but the club compatible tracks of Shiv-r will surely crowd the dance floor.”

Review originally published at Gothtronic Zine.

 

Side-Line magazine reviews “Parasite” EP

“Shiv-r is a brand-new duo from Australia. Set up by Lee Bulig (Kong, Stark) and Pete Crane (Crystalline Effect) Shiv-r sounds like a new band in the worldwide dark electro army. This maxi features 5 songs and the title song is a real impressive one. “Parasite” reminds me of the powerful, banging and progressive style of Combichrist. I guess this is more than a simple reference! I’m really impressed by the elaboration of this song revealing an impressive arsenal of sounds merged with a terrific, harsh beat. The vocals have been masterfully produced, adding a kind of spooky touch to the song. Another great song is the remix of “Parasite” by Pete Crane working under the Virul3nt-moniker. It sounds Combichrist-minded as well, but with some variation in sound and female vocals instead of the male ones. Wendy Leaver (Straylight) here adds her really hot and sensual timbre of voice. It creates a delicious contrast with the powerful music. 2 other songs are quite different. They’re definitely quieter and reinforced by guitar parts. These songs remain well crafted and elaborated, but didn’t kick ass like “Parasite”. One of them (cf. “Control”) has been remixed by Lee Bulig under the Kong moniker, but can’t totally convince me. There are not enough songs here to evaluate the real potential of Shiv-r, but the main song is a pure ‘endzeit’ jewel where even Andy La Plegua would be jealous of.

Score: 7/8
Review by DP

Review originally published at Side-Line Magazine.

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      Shiv-r is a new force in the field of dark electronic music. The heavy and unsettling atmosphere generated by the band is at times intended for the clubs, and at times drawn to a slow, grinding pace for full dramatic impact.
      Check this site often for daily updates from the band on life in Bangkok & London, body-mods, and music-tech.
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