(September 2010) In a recent music conversation in the pub, a mate made the bold statement that nothing was more exciting than hearing the term EBM (and yes, these are the kind of pub conversations that are going on.) For those unsure of EBM, electronic body music, it is a raw cold minimal synth sound, fast with an emotionless mechanical slant. Think downhearted dancefloor. Groups like Nitzer Ebb, Throbbing Gristle and Absolute Body Control were at the forefront of the sound. I might add a qualifier to my mate’s opinion, that Belgian EBM is a more exciting term. I’ve mentioned before Belgium’s affinity with cold wave, the same can be said of EBM. Groups like Front 242, Portion Control and Neon Judgement pioneered the sound in Belgium. It is the latter of this trio that have just had their first releases reissued on San Francisco’s Dark Entries. The LP, Early Tapes, maps the start of Neon Judgement and the beginnings of EBM in Belgium.
Neon Judgement are the duo of Dirk Da Davo (Dirk Timmermans) and TB Frank (Frank Vloeberghs.) Early Tapes is just that. The LP contains the first two tapes that the twosome made, Suffering in 1981 and TV Treated in 1982. The record opens with one of the quintessential tracks of the industrial sound, and one which acted as a bridge into electronics, “Factory Walk.” The track lurches into being on heavy footsteps of distortion with a wry string line preceding the wailing vocals. Speed enters into the equation with the heady “Sweet Revenge” before the post punk drone of “Harem.” The tracks halt and stagger, pushing traditional melody constructs on top of broken chords and drum machines. “The Machine” is the synth heavy track of the A-Side, a cold wave elegy. It’s fascinating to see the group’s sound develop across the LP. The A-Side, which is devoted to Suffering, has a much coarser and industrial scope to it. The B-Side, bar “Schyzophrenic Freddy,” sees the synthesizer becoming much more prominent whilst industrial aspects remain. “TV Treated,” from the ’82 tape, is a work of EBM magic. Subtle notes are linked up with powerful vocals and an unceasing beat to hook the listener, and keep them hooked. “Stay Mad” has rhythmic similarities to “TV Treated” with the synthesizer being once again subtly employed. “Sister Sue” mirrors The Normal’s “Warm Leatherette,” but here the chill of the stark beat is coupled with guitar string and vocal diversion. “On My Own,” which brings Early Tapes to a close, is a more post punk focused piece. Synth tones, although present, take a back seat as lyrics step to centre stage.
Neon Judgement, or The Neon Judgement depending on your preference, are a lifeblood group of the EBM scene. They’re style is synonymous with the sound. They blurred the lines of traditional instruments with modern technology, and in doing so created a stark synth wave. Early Tapes is a crystal ball into the first days of this pioneering outfit, what they were doing and where they were going. The two tapes, now finally on vinyl, see a progression with electronic tones eclipsing some of the more industrial notes but not erasing them. With a Korg Mono Poly, an 808 and a guitar The Neon Judgement created a sound that is still turning heads and infecting minds, one of sparse chords and a raw penetrating energy. Their sound may be minimal, but the effect could not be described as such.
Early Tapes is out now on Dark Entries. [Listen | Purchase]
