SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: RHYS FULBER – MEMORY IMPULSE AUTONOMY

RHYS FULBER
MEMORY IMPULSE AUTONOMY
ARTOFFACT RECORDS

Memory Impulse Autonomy is Rhys Fulber’s eighth solo album since his solo self-titled debut album in 2018. He is, among other things, a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium (both of which feature Bill Leeb) but he does have a very healthy solo career. Memory Impulse Autonomy is his first album for Artoffact Records, but signing to a new label has not changed his style of music. This is a hard driving, aggressive electronic album with pounding beats and an industrial framework.

As heavy as some of the songs are, Fulber plays with sound and music, and some tracks are a bit more reserved and very melodic. Fulber brings Qual in for a couple of songs, the first two on the album, “The Abyss” and “Control”. Qual brings his distinct vocals to the tracks. “The Abyss” is the perfect way to start the album with the solid beats and electronic music. “Control” on the other hand is much more subdued in the beginning that builds to a heavy ending. Barkosina makes an appearance on the very danceable “Only Love Will Save Us All”. Barkosina’s haunting vocals gives the dance track a dreamy and otherworldly feel. It is a highlight of the album. But there is one more guest, Konstantin Unwohl, provides a very unique vocal for the “Nichts Dafür Getan”. The song has shades of Joy Division and the overall impact is melancholy.

The remainder of the album is pure Fulber. For the most part the songs are instrumental, and EDM. But Fulber is smart enough to mix things up a little and provide the slower grooves along with the heart pumping ones. “Exclavier” for example, which has some interesting effects added to the song is very different from “New Despotism”, which makes great use of backward tapes. Again, both EDM, but “New Despotism” has a different feel and groove to it.

Memory Impulse Autonomy is not Front Line Assembly or Delirium, although there are moments of each found on the album. It is a Fulber solo album. It is EDM but Fulber does mix it up somewhat and in that way creates an interesting album that does not suffer from being too similar throughout the album. Fans will enjoy Memory Impulse Autonomy and those attracted to EDM would do well to explore this album.

SPILL FEATURE: WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR MIND AND YOU THINK YOU’RE FINE – A CONVERSATION WITH RHYS FULBER

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