Nitzer Ebb is a British leading EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan “Bon” Harris (programming, synthesizers, drums, vocals), Douglas McCarthy (vocals), and David Gooday (drums). The name of the band was chosen for its harsh, supposedly German sound, although it does not carry any meaning in either English or German. Nitzer Ebb’s ninth and up to date, latest album, “Industrial Complex” was released in 2010.
On February 18th, 2013 will be release “Kill Your Friends”, McCarthy’s highly anticipated debut solo album.
This is a darkly tensioned, mystery fueled, quality EBM/IDM mixture with sounds and resonances back to the 80’s electronic, post-wave and early industrial scene.
This might sound for some quite outdated, but surprisingly, this conservative, 80’s flavoured, pure and minimalist EBM still sounds alive and tasty. “Kill Your Friends” feels like a trip back to those golden age of Roland, Yamaha and WASP synths, of minimalist and mechanic beats, and not at least of deep, hypnotizing vocals. And Douglas McCarthy is still a true-blood, powerful and charming singer with great voice – no pitch corrected (fake) bullshit.
Merging extremely melodious vocals and powerful dance beats with minimalist electronic build-ups and subtle layers, “Kill Your Friends” it’s an over 37 minutes delightful audition and journey.
My favorites are “Evil Love”, “Nothing After This”,”Taken” and the surprisingly luminous “Lovers Arms”.
McCarthy began writing Kill Your Friends in 2010 during a European tour. McCarthy and Producer/DJ Mark Bell, lauded for his work with such acts as Doc Martin and Felix da Housecat, recorded the album in Los Angeles over a two year period that also found McCarthy performing 150 live shows with Nitzer Ebb, caring for his dying father in England, and journeying across India by train with his wife.
Writing Kill Your Friends as he traveled the world, McCarthy returned home to Los Angeles to join new band member, Cyrus Rex, in his studio where, with Bell producing, they collectively channeled McCarthys debut into a remarkable piece of work. Recalling Cabaret Voltaire, Heroes era Bowie, Malcom McLaren New York B-boy and Kraftwerk, to name a few, this record devilishly blends industrial and experimental sounds with heavy dance floor beats and pop melodies.
Douglas J. McCarthy – Official Site
Douglas J. McCarthy @ Facebook
Douglas J McCarthy @ Soundcloud
