HAMILTON UNDERGROUND PRESS
  • News
  • Features
  • Features Index
  • UPCOMING SHOWS
  • Past Shows
  • HUPCASTS
  • HUPZINE
  • FUTURE CITY FESTIVAL
  • About
  • Photos
  • HAMILTON BANDS / VENUES
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
  • Search
  • News
  • Features
  • Features Index
  • UPCOMING SHOWS
  • Past Shows
  • HUPCASTS
  • HUPZINE
  • FUTURE CITY FESTIVAL
  • About
  • Photos
  • HAMILTON BANDS / VENUES
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
  • Search

HAMILTON
UNDERGROUND
PRESS

* INDIE/ALT MUSIC * AOTEAROA NZ *

'Achromaticia: Twentieth Anniversary Edition' Review

4/5/2018

0 Comments

 
R E V I E W
'Acromaticia: Twentieth Anniversary Edition' by Disjecta Membra

Picture
Formed in Hamilton in 1993, Disjecta Membra is commonly considered New Zealand’s premier goth band. Active in Hamilton until 1996, they moved to Wellington in 1997, and released their debut album ‘Achromaticia’ in that year. While Achromaticia has been out of print for many years, interest in the band, and the album, has grown. To meet demand, the band have recently released ‘Achromaticia: Twentieth Anniversary Edition’, which features three CDs.
​  
The first disc features the album, Achromaticia. From the opening (church) bell, this album is classic ‘90s Goth rock, much of which more than adequately stands the test of time. Highlights for me are the more upbeat songs; ‘Skin Trade’, in particular, sounds like it could have been pulled from the Headless Chickens debut Stunt Clown, while the cover of (Hamilton band) The Haunting’s song ‘Rats’ is also (still) superb. Other strong songs include ‘Cathedral (Deus ex Machina Mix)’ and ‘Danse Macabre’. It is difficult not to make comparisons with the sound of this album, from 20 years ago, with more recent releases. The production quality of the newer releases has of course advanced greatly, the band’s sound has diversified, and singer Michel’s voice has become stronger and deeper through time. But I think anyone buying this album will know what they are getting. Classic. ‘90s. Goth.  
In the second and third discs, containing over 40 songs, we can see how the music on Achromaticia has its roots firmly set in Hamilton. Included are demos of tracks from the album, as well as of many unreleased songs written by the band at the time, recorded in the garages, basements, and probably living rooms of houses in Fairview Downs, St Andrews and Hamilton East. Further, songs are included from performances at Hamilton venues The Wailing Bongo, The Exchange and The Meteor. An interview is included, split over several parts, with Adam Hyde from Contact 89FM’s Urban Jangle show, which certainly makes me feel nostalgic for Hamilton of the 1990s. And all of this is before you even get into the bonus download material! A beautifully produced booklet is hidden in the 4th CD slot, that you might miss if you don’t go looking for it, which includes detailed information on where each of these songs was recorded.

Overall, this is a must-have for lovers of Hamilton music, and for listeners of classic New Zealand goth. If you want a copy, the album is can be ordered through their Bandcamp: http://disjectamembra.bandcamp.com/album/achromaticia

- Ian Duggan
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    July 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • News
  • Features
  • Features Index
  • UPCOMING SHOWS
  • Past Shows
  • HUPCASTS
  • HUPZINE
  • FUTURE CITY FESTIVAL
  • About
  • Photos
  • HAMILTON BANDS / VENUES
  • SHOP
  • DONATE
  • Search