Transmission 0

Memory of a Dream

Candlelight Records 2007

Near industrial, thumping guitars and screamed metallic vocals envelope the listener as they fall deeply into the emotional and dark world of Holland's Transmission 0.  Each song flows with emotional relevance around a cold, hard, uncaring central core of thundering guitars. It is sort of a tragedy drenched landscape built as if built by Godflesh.  Condor has shimmering clean guitars and keyboards emerging as if from a mirage while pounding, lifeless drums propel the song along at a deliberate pace.  The next song Paracas bleeds noise elements not unlike the masters Neurosis, yet their approach is more controlled and methodical.  Dream 1 is a nighttime excursion into foggy dreamscapes with The Cure inspired echoing clean guitars and hissing cymbals whereas its sister track Dream 2 clings more to chugging, static soaked riffs yet still embraces The Cure wholeheartedly.  At times I find this album very reminiscent of the old industrial death project on Roadrunner, called Skin Chamber.  Though Transmission 0 is wholly more organic but equally cold and devoid of feeling within its unbeating heart.  To counter-illustrate my point Token pulses with a mechanical beat and the pumping of a bass-line flows like blood past ethereal vocals like a robotic hallucination.  A good comparison would be a blend between middle era Katatonia and Neurosis.  Throughout its hour and four minute length, Memory of a Dream is a contrast in images, deep in emotions while appearing lifeless and mechanical at its core.  Transmission 0 has composed an album that is a waking nightmare and haunts your dreams.  Sleep well and beware of what the night may bring.