The unconventional Swedish duo known as Puissance blends post-industrial soundscapes with Wagnerian-inspired classical scores while making bold political statements – perhaps combining both factors to greater effect than ever on Grace of God. Usually, I opt not to include quotes from artists in reviews of their music, but in this case, I'll make an exception: "Our goal is to inform yet retain a poetic undertone to frame our analysis of world politics and objectives," says Fredrik Soderlund, one-half of this doomy duo. "This album focuses heavily on the foreign policy of Western civilizations particularly inspired by neoconservatives and other proponents of economically based genocides in third-world countries. Rather than subscribing to any political agenda, Puissance stands out as artists against the political and financial motives that have led up to numerous unresolvable conflicts that are on the verge of plunging us into the third world war."
Oh, my. Makes me wish Portugal's Equilibrium Music would have included a lyric sheet with this promo copy. But the (sometimes almost whispered) lyrics of Soderlund and Henry Moller – think the Pet Shop Boys in an asylum – are clear and creepy enough to get the gist. And if not, visit Puissance's detailed web site to find out more – not only about the duo's wall of sound but also about 9/11 conspiracy theories, an organization called Artists Against New World Order and a suggestion that actually encourages you to download music illegally.
Track Listing:
1) Grace of God
2) Stance
3) Walls of Freedom
4) Warzone
5) In Death
6) Conspiracy
7) Brittle
8) Loreto
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