TID: Fix Idé

Currently going through a comprehensive reissue campaign, Fix Idé is the latest (2016) release from Sweden's TID, the six track effort billed as an album, while in realty being much closer to an EP. What this effort lacks in length, however, it certainly makes up for in performance, five pieces (and an introduction) of deep, complex, atmospheric electronic metal, the order of the day. With ex-members of Magna Carta Cartel, Roswell and two unhooded Ghost men in the shape of Simon Sodberg and Martin Persner (both guitars), it should come as little surprise that the pair's previous band is a touching point. However that familiarity arrives more in the patience this band show in their music than the sound itself, a much more serious and 'grown up' approach delivered here. However with TID forming back in 2007, that they sound accomplished and focused should come as no surprise.

While searching for a sound or scene to point this band towards is a tough task, the feeling I'm often left with is what would Tryptykon sound like if you stripped back their angst and aggression and instead replaced it with a distant nod to Jean Michel Jarre? The answer may well be found quite close to TID. That unusual attack leaves this band with the ability to creep up on you as you let Fix Idé get under your skin, growing and expanding as it does so until you're left thoroughly ensconced in the world of bright, melodic, gloom. With everything taken at a near crawl and the arrangements often veering gleefully from stark and sparse to rich and dense, the effect of the electronic infused melodic slam of "Demimond" can really be quite overwhelming; the impact equally mesmerising on the crunchy and almost smoothed Rammstein like pulse and punch of "Dumhetens Gudinna". The two other full songs make just as strong mark, TID's ability to layer beautiful, multifaceted vocals over grating guitars and rich synth frameworks making "Aurora Surrealis" and "Solens Nya Namn" hugely forceful as they somehow retain an understated air.

Bookended by the scene setting intro of "Bom Shiva" and almost shockingly – built on woodwind and acoustic guitars as it is – melodic "Nadir", Fix Idé also has the ability to cast a storytelling spell, the feeling that you've genuinely entered a different world as you travel through this short album both interesting and involving. All making for an impressive experience from start to end and one that has both required, and stood up remarkably well to, repeat listen.

Track Listing
1. Bom Shiva
2. Dumhetens Gudinna
3. Aurora Surrealis
4. Solens Nya Namn
5. Demimond
6. Nadir

Added: July 19th 2017
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: The Sign Records on bandcamp
Hits: 1631
Language: english

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