INTERLACE – Imago

I was pondering aimlessly which direction this review should take and which side of Interlace’s latest album should be accented. Should I try to convince those lost few who haven’t heard their music to immediately do so, or to compare this new dose to “Under The Sky”. I’ve decided to do both.

Listening to Interlace must be a labour of love. Who would, in their right mind, burden themselves with this dark, sharp, crushing music for any sake other than passion? Overpowering, brutal addiction.
I am in constant depravation crisis since FLA vanished and Dassing brothers stopped making music together. No, re-listening old albums is not even close to the freshly cut, new stuff. Will “Imago” help?

“Soil blackened water red wash the river bed/ turn to your master!/Hope lingers then expires in the baptism of fire/ turn to your master!” Like mantra in my mind, this chorus from the first song etched itself deep. I enjoyed the sensation, still do. Dozens of times replayed. Yes, I like this album, immensely. Any one of you who puts ideas, thoughts, feelings and senses first – here you will find them, brooding and heavy. Music is just a vessel, a medium for their design, design for a new breed.
“Imago” is the second instalation of the project, following layered and multidimensional “Under The Sky” phase. Difference is obvious: focused and angry music delivers messages on personality, sociology and metaphysics. Words could not be more cutting and ideas more dark. Not in the sense of simple “All is lost, we are pathetic”, no. Interlace is more, so much more:
“Resile to nil/ Resile then stand still/ numbers uneven even in color/ smeared over apt loyal followers/ blind eye aye and the ayes have it/ have it and hold it/ abuse and lose it…”(CONFORMITY)

The über-designer Dave McKean masterfully recognised similarities between two natures: music of Interlace and Front Line Assembly. On latter’s “Implode” album, figure of stretched mutant human/insect is depicted. “Imago” , similarly, contains an image equally disturbing: “wicked birthing/twisted offspring/ in denial she opens herself/a little more shuts the pain out…” (VENEER). Is the album also equal to mastery of Bill Leeb? No. Shall future installations of Interlace crew reach the quality of Front Line Assembly’s timeless music? They could. Any other band is remotely far, but Swedish trio advances strong. “Imago” is big step forward in creating an image of a great band. If they continue on this path of deep, meaningful, artistic creativity they will reach the place of no match.