February 1–8, 2001

disc quicks|electronica

Icon of Coil

Serenity of the Devil

(Metropolis)

The first full-length release from Norway’s Icon of Coil delivers on the standard set by their two previous releases (an EP and a single). In some ways, Serenity of the Devil is true to the EBM-pop formula to a fault, joining the ranks of Apoptygma Berzerk (circa 7) and Covenant, with an array of one-two beats, shallow bass lines overlaid with heavy textured beatpads and sweeps and thought-provoking lyrics delivered in a deadpan, unmusical voice sometimes filtered through effects. On the other hand, it’s done very well; DJs already familiar with their singles "Shallow Nation" and "Former Self" now have a jewel case full of similarly strong dance floor material here in tracks like "Activate," "Regret" and "Fiction." Slower tracks "Down on Me" and "Situations Like These" hint at something out of jungle/trip-hop, however, marking Icon of Coil as more than mere formula. While there isn’t anything particularly innovative about Icon of Coil’s style right now, it should breathe new life into tired melodic EBM sets.

—Helen H. Thompson