Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Panopticon - white noise

6/18/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Panopticon

white noise
Stuck on Replay; 2015

3.4 out of 5


By Jamie Funk

Four musicians from three different locations (Austria, Germany and Greece) make up Panopticon. Back in 2001 when the band first formed they concentrated on rock music but their sound had mutated over the years. They tout on their website that they combine alternative and electronic music, which is an accurate statement. After listening to their three-song EP entitled white noise I think it’s fair to say there is also a tinge of industrial and they were also quite a few times I was reminded of NIN. The NIN comparisons were thoughts that crept in my mind from the textures and tones and not from the vocalist. Certain synth sounds reminded me of something you have heard from The Fragile while other guitar tones and drumbeats felt like they could have been on The Slip.

Despite the rather overt NIN similarities the band has something to offer that is all their own. It is arguably the most apparent in the first track entitled “Violator.” The song is instrumental, devoid of vocals and offers intricate, engaging production. It starts off sounding like something we may have heard from The Notwist as percussion elements, blerps and bleeps combine into a formidable groove. Once the piano enters into the mix the song takes on a more ominous vibe. You can feel something brewing as the drums get more intense and the guitars make their presence know. The song gets to a climax and instead of getting more dramatic and grandiose breaks into a sole piano with some residue. 

“Invade The Sun” is a single worthy song that has a more standard structure of verse, chorus, verse. I really enjoyed the abrasive yet warm guitar tone that combined with the twinkling synth. It’s obvious that they put some time and thought into this song. The details matter and are some of the most interesting aspects of the music.

They end with “Meat For The Masses” which will end up getting the most NIN comparisons. The hard-hitting drums and catchy melody make it the most single worthy song out of the three. It also contains some intricate attention to detail that the band displayed on the other songs. 

Panopticon has skill in a number of ways. I would have liked to have heard a bit more originality at times but I think they can shed the NIN comparisons if they do a bit of tweaking Overall, white noise is an enjoyable listen any way you look at it. The whole EP barely eclipses the ten-minute mark but feels rather satisfying.
Become A Fan
bandcamp
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band
© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact