Diva X Machina, Vol. 1

Diva X Machina, Vol. 1

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Not a bad idea for a compilation--a collection of songs from industrial bands fronted by female vocalists. If, as many critics claim, male-dominated industrial dance music is just so much posturing, this disc just might be the antidote, a riot-grrrl equivalent for the latex-and-fishnets crowd. And even though Diva X Machina goes for quantity over quality, there are some gems to be mined here, at least once you get past the heavy-metal-isms of the first few tracks. Hexedene, a collaborative project between New Mind's Jonathan Sharp and vocalist Katie Helsby, contribute "Turn," a dance-friendly cut made atmospheric by Helsby's voice; Collide contribute a mix of "Beneath the Skin," an ethereal composition interspersed with bursts of guitar; Regenerator offer up "Rush," one of the stronger songs from their Soulseeker album; and the always-brilliant Attrition remix their mid-'80s hit (well, as close to a hit as they were going to get, anyway) "I Am" with a trip-hop sensibility and add mournful strings. Still, in the end, although Diva X Machina may be conceptually great, check out the second volume for a slightly better execution. --Steve Landau

Tracks:

Queen Of Heaven - The Razor Skyline
Regodless - Sushine Blind
Devil In Disguise - Coptic Rain
Fucked Up Generation - Deathride 69
Revenge (Post Mortem Edit) - Thrive
Spring (Nosferatu Mix) - FadingColours
Turn - Hexedene
Repress (Microtronic Edit) - Battery
Indulgence - Randolph's Grin
Beneath The Skin (Adrenaline Edit) - Collide
Down - Android Lust
Rush - Regenerator
I Am (Eternity Mix) - Attrition
'The Shepherd's Deathline (7in Mix) - !AiBoFoRcEn
Revenge - Waiting For God
Red, Black and Blue - Venus Walk

Amazon.com

Not a bad idea for a compilation--a collection of songs from industrial bands fronted by female vocalists. If, as many critics claim, male-dominated industrial dance music is just so much posturing, this disc just might be the antidote, a riot-grrrl equivalent for the latex-and-fishnets crowd. And even though Diva X Machina goes for quantity over quality, there are some gems to be mined here, at least once you get past the heavy-metal-isms of the first few tracks. Hexedene, a collaborative project between New Mind's Jonathan Sharp and vocalist Katie Helsby, contribute "Turn," a dance-friendly cut made atmospheric by Helsby's voice; Collide contribute a mix of "Beneath the Skin," an ethereal composition interspersed with bursts of guitar; Regenerator offer up "Rush," one of the stronger songs from their Soulseeker album; and the always-brilliant Attrition remix their mid-'80s hit (well, as close to a hit as they were going to get, anyway) "I Am" with a trip-hop sensibility and add mournful strings. Still, in the end, although Diva X Machina may be conceptually great, check out the second volume for a slightly better execution. --Steve Landau

Customer Reviews:

Intelligible industrial/ebm........2001-07-08

Buy this if you like industrial/ebm/electro, but often
find harsh, distorted male vocals detractive. Or if you find
clearer female vocals additive. Either way, it's a good
compilation. Many industrial/ebm acts consist of one or two
programmers/keyboardists who really can't sing, but are great at
programming their synths. Fortunately, they are aware of this
and their solution usually involves passing vocals through a lot
of filters until it's unintelligible, or not attempting to sing
at all. This is not always a bad thing, but after a decade such
antics tend to bore. Diva X Machina is the fix for anyone
disappointed in the vocal offerings of industrial/ebm.

As of 2001, there exists Diva X Machina I, II, and III.

Excellent Samplier.......2000-03-16

This is an excellent sampler. It introduces you to many excellent female fronted indie bands. Specially for those who don't frequent stores that carry hard to find indie imports. Take a taste of The Razor Skyline, Sunshine Blind, Coptic Rain, Battery and many other gems.

The best disc I ever purchased.......1998-05-17

An album of angry female industrial bands, who are not afraid of sharing with the world. Never before has a complitation album managed to get so many fabulous songs in one place. I originally bought this for the whistful 'Spring' by 'Fading Colours' but after just one listen, I knew this disc was my favorite. I haven't removed it from the changer since I purchased it! It runs the range from electronic beat with slow vocals, to a drum, guitar, vocal free for all. For anyone who likes to hear girls who aren't afraid to get a little dirty, girls who's voices make you feel insignificant, girls who will beat you to a bloody pulp and then laugh out loud, this is the album you've been waiting for.

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