DIGITALIFE was formed in August 2007 and started as an industrial metal core project by brothers Martin and Gabriel. With much pride the band now present their first released album entitled ‘Nemesis’ that the band says has much more of a marking style, infused with electronic metal core.
The band have on their musical journey shared stages with Asking Alexandria, Motionless in White and Melian, although this is not an exhaustive list. Most recently on the 17th July 2014 the band announced that they had signed to Imminence Records in order for their new album to have proper release status.
Always good to see the word ‘metalcore’ and even better the word ‘electro’ – but put the two together and it becomes just that bit more interesting, at least I am hoping so…
Awakening
This track begins with a run on high pitched synth and deep flowing beats – so far so good! The vocals come further on in the track and like G-Force leave a lasting impression! Although the track is not as strong as I thought it should be.
Unfortunate’s Hymn
Beginning with a stark drumming exploit, which then brings on a grand growling medley and into a clean vocal. A tempered flight of synth notes flurry mid cycle in the track – but it pales into insignificance and doesn’t really hold anything truly memorable.
In front of our Eyes
Again the drumming is the dominant key here, although it is powered along with superb guitar and growls that could quite simply be a portrayal of Satan, however the clean vocals do somewhat let the track down, in my opinion, which is a shame, as they are not as strong in comparison to the music or the lower growls.
Interlude
This is quite an uplifting track that has a beautiful keyboard melody and offers the stability of being a welcome caress across the aural.
Lies behind Glass
Although again drum orientated there is a healthy dose of keyboard that remains constant through-out with great snarling vocal, and with it brings a very enticing groove.
Nemesis
Is light, airy and ambient, and then dives into a crushing drum beat, with levelled synth notes. The vocal entourage is scathing and raw so it holds an initial coaxing and can be deemed as an intense track with brooding melodic rhythm.
Electric Anthem
Building nicely with an array of toned synth keys that are lush and evocative. It plays with the senses whilst keeping it intriguing. The rampageous gait of guitar and solid bass haunts the track perfectly, well living up to its title.
Awakening (Basic Horror Mix)
Is the perfect wake-up call with powerful synth melody that paints the colourful picture of this track superbly! The rambunctious jabbing beats are enthralling and give out a strong creative expression. For me though this track just doesn’t last long enough!
False Utopia
This is flanked with deep powerful rhythms and highly precise synth, helped along by a grisly vocal, even the clean vocals work well within the surrounding sounds that flow in an anthemic manner and is more of a threatening prowl, which I expected the whole album to be, although sadly not. But this is an exceptional track showing true savagery!
False Utopia (Digital Party System Mix)
A distant clean vocal lays on a bed of brooding synth rhythms and then it explodes with a constant unification of mesmerising synth notes that trickle and tease with a gnawing on the senses that cannot be ignored no matter how hard you try. Definitely another winning track from Digitalife.
Although slightly disappointing at the beginning of the album it soon picks up pace and becomes the album you want it to be. It is like the band are warming up to their final brutal assault – and three tracks in, they absolutely nail it! The instrumental tracks are very pleasurable on the ears and give out a teasing of attention grabbing moments.
Digitalife though on the first three tracks of the album do not fully embrace their digital exploits, however the latter part of the album does come alive and vehemently exudes a darker and more engaging sound. The clean vocals do in certain points on the album sound strained and out of synch as on ‘Unfortunate’s Hymn’ which is indeed unfortunate.
All in all though, holding more good points than bad, this is a good album and deserves a listen. When in full flow as on ‘False Utopia’ you can gauge its depths nicely and it possesses that all round insatiable appetite!
