Walk the Psycho[path] Moving Hands Music Magazine On the Third album from Run Level Zero, Hans Åkerman who nowadays is the only member invites us to walk the psychopath, and that is something I gladly do. Because the dark and heavy EBM with heavy drumbeats and electrobeats sharp as nails that will be played during this walk is very beautiful. Besides the music there is also a feeling of insanity over the 12 tracks here, which contributes to the pleasure of listening to it. Although every track is great there are two that stands out above the rest and that is "Headless" and "K.A.D.O.". Both has a danceable tune in them and they will most likely be played in many clubs for months to come. This album clearly shows that Run Level Zero alongside Project-X is the best we have in Sweden today when it comes to EBM. I can strongly recommend everyone that likes his or her music hard and dark to go out and buy the album! Writer: Sven Eklöv Grade: 8 READ REVIEW>> Release Music Magazine OK. I admit it. This, second, album from Swedish EBM/Industrial hope Run Level Zero - now only consisting of Hans Åkerman - really causes me trouble. Not only is it better than it's predecessor - not a problem in itself - but at the same time it doesn't deserve a higher grade than a seven - the same grade I gave the debut. How can I possibly begin to explain this to you? Well, these are the facts: "Symbol of Submission", the debut by Run Level Zero, doesn't sound as good in my ears as it did three years ago. I may have graded it too high back then. My mistake. But: "Walk the Psycho(path)" - actually produced by Kristian Pettersson (known for producing bands like Cat Rapes Dog, Elegant Machinery and S.P.O.C.K) isn't the kick ass industrial EBM record Mr Åkerman probably hoped he had made, either. Admitted, it has it's share of fine moments. The majestic FLA-echoing "Human Equation" is one and the almost breathtaking, beat-laden "Headless" is another - but overall, it lacks a certain something. It's definitely calmer than its predecessor and - as I said - better in a more mature way. Åkerman has really put a lot of time into creating nice electronic soundscapes, with a couple of cool samples and a lot of beats. But more often than not, "Walk..." becomes, well, a tad bit boring. The ideas aren't all new - we have heard Front Line Assembly and Skinny Puppy before - and where a debut is a nice place to show where one has one's references, the follow-up should be more about finding one's own path. And although Åkerman has created an album that is well worth to listen to, with a bunch of good songs and a couple of real knock outs, one does feel that he has more to give than this. When he finds his own way, we can expect great things. Writer: Kalle Malmstedt Grade: 7 READ REVIEW>> Music Exile Run Level Zero is now the solo electro-industrial music project of Hans Åkerman. Fredrik Solenberg has left the band. But Hans gets along just fine by himself on this Walk The Psycho[path] CD. As soon as I heard the first track "CNN of Worms" I could tell instantly that Hans had improved as both a musician and singer. There's more maturity to this album in the music development, vocal stylings and lyrics. This is still traditional RLZ material with energetic layered electronic programming, hard and heavy bass beats, dark melodies and Hans' deep angry vocals. But everything has more of a polish to it with greater sound texturing, more variety in the effects used, and less treated vocals that actually sing. There's a slightly less dark side to the sound now offering more modern sci-fi electronics and lighter melodies. But this music is still hard, heavy and aggressive. There's a good mix of energetic songs as well as more mid-tempo moods. The album does a good job of delivering a varied collection of electro-industrial songs. Every song on this album is good. Some stand out more than others, but nothing is bad or out of place. There's not really anything new or different to be heard here, but it's all well done and solid. Writer: Darklight Grade: B READ REVIEW>> Side-Line It took nearly 3 years to Hans Akerman (who remain the single member on board) aka RLZ to strike back. The body-guitar debut entitled "Symbol of Submission" didn't impress me that much but got a serious recognition in their homeland, Sweden. The new album remains faithful to the EBM style, but it's definitely more like 'pure' electronics and strongly influenced by FLA and In Strict Confidence (that maybe explains why Minuswelt, label of ISC, has a license for the German European countries). This is 100% dark electronic music that moves from the classical EBM fields to the border of industrial, reminding this way to Skinny Puppy. Tracks like "Headless" and "Human equation" are perfectly illustrating these comparisons. That brings us to the 5th piece entitled "Under the gun", which is a dark, terrific outburst. The heavy rhythm and the icy elaborated lead are like reassembling the perfect ingredients for an explosive dancefloor killer. The 2nd part of the album is nothing else than pure enjoyment, now and than reinforced by real guitar play and/or guitar samplings. It all sounds like a furious locomotive without brakes. The annihilating power of "Red moon" sounds like pushing the composer to explore the most aggressive sides of his mind. I personally prefer the more into ISC-like "Flesh mirror" and the cool "K.A.D.O.". This last song also illustrates the outstanding production process of this opus, which it has to be said has been done in collaboration with Kristian Pettersson, who already collaborated with some famous Swedish bands like Spock and Cat Rapes Dog. A last attention grabber is "Somnium ex Machina", like already evoking the spirit of Skinny Puppy. The originality is less present, but the quality of the writing and production is simply worthy of examination! RLZ realized a devastating comeback, which will undoubtedly makes its way in dark electro-land! The latest album of ISC and this 2nd full length of RLZ are both recommended and obliged stuff for the lovers of the style! Writer: DP Grade: 7/8 READ REVIEW>> (Requires registration)