Belgian artist Len Lemeire once again explores and expands the electronic musical spectrum with Implant’s sixth album Self Inflicted. It is a tour of a dreamy, hazy, and yet highly imaginative dance styling that mirrors the efforts of other notable European electronic D.J.s, namely Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, and Juno Reactor.

Implant - Self Inflicted

Alfa Matrix

Belgian artist Len Lemeire once again explores and expands the electronic musical spectrum with Implant’s sixth album Self Inflicted. It is a tour of a dreamy, hazy, and yet highly imaginative dance styling that mirrors the efforts of other notable European electronic D.J.s, namely Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, and Juno Reactor.

At the conclusion of my first listen through of the album I was struck by the maturation of Lemeire’s complex programming and song arrangement as well has his impeccable choice of collaborators featuring contributions from an international cast of characters that are best known for widely divergent musical identities. At the top of the list is the gritty, signature guitar on the hypnotic electro-rock (think Nihil-era KMFDM)"4 is Dying"by Romell Regulacion of Razed in Black. On the vocal side of the equation we are treated to lyrics by the inimitable Anne Clark delivered as cryptic spoken word on the driving industrial/goa influenced "Tune Up Your Chips and Circuits" and the equally mystery lade n "Surface Tension". As a bonus, we are treated to the siren’s call of Christa Belle (from fellow Alfa Matrix label-mate Hungry Lucy) on "The New Gospel".

Over the course of the album songs exhibit compositional elements from EBM, Goa, Trance, Electronica, Industrial Dance, Synth Pop and just about everything else in between. The result forms a sound that is at times cyberpunk and at other times ancient and primal human mythology.

Songs of particular note are the deliciously naughty and yet voyeuristic thrill of "You Can Watch", the groove-delicious throb and thrum of "Identity Crisis", the Hunter Thompson’s Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas reference laden and fascinating trip-hop of "Drugs vs.Violence", and the rock-a-holic funeral pyre of "4 is Dying".

A worthy buy for your buck. There are a few tracks here that could probably be slipped into a DJ/Club set, as well as plenty of mind bending exploration to keep the home listener interested.

Implant official site: http://move.to/implant

Alfa Matrix site: http://www.alfa-matrix.com