GOTHIKA - ZeitGeist

Previously known as euthanasie, GOTHIKA’s style remains just as industrial and eccentric; one could lightly use strange to describe them. But, strange is good and is far better than the norm. Their industrial sound is surprisingly light and easy-going, if one could say such a thing. It isn’t bothersome to the ears; it doesn't produce a headache.

The first sound heard in Overture mimics a ticking clock and it automatically draws attention to itself. A steady, consistent stream of bass line choral persists as the layers of sound systematically mesh together. Synthesizers and xylophones patter across frozen ponds before changing key and breaking out in a trance-like bass beat. Orchestral strings angrily storm onwards with wide arced staccato notes, preparing the stage for the next track in which the same sound continues.

The mechanical huff of a steam engine rolls ten second into the start of Gusano, and as the layers gradually melt into each other, the canopy of sound evolves into something more intricate and complicated, found similarly in Overture. Dark, non-conforming and definitely far from commercial, Gusano invites in yet another layer of synthesizers and seemingly off-toned chords, both paired with short, staccato releases of voice acting as part of the tempo welcomes a burst eeriness across all the tracks on the album. The backing track from Overture continues in development during Gusano - and although a little long, the song is still worthy of recognition.

Both Army March Drawn Sword Police and Master Sergant induce a feeling of a sci-fi/fantasy soundtrack with the sparkling of synthesizers in the background, but they're still under the influence of goth/industrial. Master Sergant's bass tones create a feeling of suspense, and the electronic drums play out a marching beat. The rough, stark ending is cut off, and in the passing of a few seconds immediately moves onto Army March Drawn Sword Police - which in of itself feels like a military anthem of sorts.

Wild and incredibly involved, Partisan is much the same as any other track featured on ZeitGeist, a release aimed at the European market. It is trance-like, dark and provisioned under a narcotic state. Partisan contains hypnotic trance bass beats and repetitive yet hyper synthesizer lines, paired with snarls of andro’s husky auto-tuned lyrics.

Adonis, like Precious Earth, is riveting and equally as pleasing. Contrasted to the gritty, industrial trance of the other tracks, the hidden happiness contained in Adonis selectively rubs off and conforms into more of a stylistic J-pop song in terms of the backing track. Melodic currents surge and plateau as soon as andro’s heard; it should be noted that his resonating voice is too dark and overpowering for this track - perhaps that was on purpose, creating equilibrium with both light and dark. Over-abundant after first the listen, andro still seems too loud compared to the somewhat quiet, exploratory melody comprised of synthesizers and imagination. The thickness of the interwoven mess is minutely overshadowed in the beginning of the track during a rush of blissful tones. Although slightly more adventurous than the rest, it becomes natural to want to put it on repeat.

Multiple things could be said in favor of GOTHIKA as their style is insanely experimental, playing with similar sounds and exporting different results. Dark and confronting, GOTHIKA is worth keeping in mind for the future, both in Japan, Europe and other countries alike.