Let’s Suffer is Tamion 12 Inch’s debut full-length following a series of EP, compilation and live appearances over the last few years. Focused around a style of delivery that snarls with fractured electro-punk attitude, the general feel of the album is slightly intimidating, but then again that is probably the point, as a glance at the lyrics in the accompanying booklet reveals. In fact, one of the most striking characteristics of the disjointed opening 2-part track is its similarity to the nursery rhyme song the demonic children sing in “A Nightmare On Elm Street,” and if that isn’t disturbing I don’t know what it is!
With the fittingly titled “The Devil Was Right” opening proceedings have Tamion 12 Inch set the standard for the tone of the album from the outset? Actually no because while the remainder of the tracks on the album share equally unsettling subject matter they are not as dark and scary as the opener. Part 2 is less broken and possesses a plodding electronic beat that lightens the mood somewhat before we are treated to the goth-punk of “Phone Fall.” The lead singer sounds like a cross between Siouxsie Sioux in her Banshees heyday and Hazel Connor’s “Breaking Glass.” Let’s Suffer clearly has it’s retro influences as most Ersatz Audio albums commonly do but instead of classic electro this album is more in common with the new wave goth-punk that Siouxsie made (and still makes) her own. More guitar focussed than electronic but oozing with attitude, Let’s Suffer is a hybrid combination with some modern retro-tinged electronics that makes for a new take on a classic genre that sometimes lapses more into the nu-electro the likes of Adult. have made their own.
A smooth fusion of old and new styles to create a new genre combining them both. Sometimes disturbing and nightmarish (“The Devil Was Right” and “Sisters”) but always brimming with uncompromising attitude (“Phone Fall” and “Apostrophe S”) Let’s Suffer will appeal to fans of Ersatz Audio and the genre as a whole.
Let’s Suffer is out now on Ersatz Audio.
