Interface

Hailing from the brighter parts of NYC comes interface . This act has elements of EBM from bands of past and present , from vocal effects like KRAFTWERK to the thumping kicks like RETROSIC , and the funkier percussions of a Daniel Myer project . Their influences can be heard throughout the album (if one were to listen carefully) mixed with their own style . Random movie clips are inserted in various tracks but don't obstruct or take away from the songs . The cd comes right into your face with the song "Age Of Computers" and makes you want to dance right away. The track "Despair" an instrumental has elements of all good things EBM and trance mixed in . a great darker track "Mindkiller" is made for the dance floor , with great synth lines , harsh vocals followed with the angry kick so you can make your expansive personal space on the dance floor . "Beyond Human" has many elements of a good KRAFTWERK song mixed with new EBM flavor . "Nobody's Hero" storms at you with all the things that make up a great FUNKER VOGT dance track . Also on the cd are remixes by bands such as ASSEMBLAGE 23 , COMBICHRIST , IMPERATIVE REACTION and STROMKERN . All the songs bring something a little different to the table from hard ebm to synthpop elements and anyone should enjoy this album . - Side Line Magazine

This is Interface's third full-length album, here released in a expanded edition that includes 6 bonus tracks taken from previous limited EP's and singles. The album was released in 2006 on Nilaihah Records, more than ten years after the inception of the band in 1993. Interface is made up of Eric Eldredge (everything) and Jon Billian, keyboardist, and is based in New York. The musical style presented on this album is dark EBM and Industrial, with enough pop elements blended in to make the music accessible.

The opening track, "Gravity", begins with a eerily desolate musical landscape, which is then joined by a disturbing sample from the movie Equilibrium. "Age Of Computers" follows, and this track seems tailor made to be a anthem for those involved in the technical profession. Not only that, it's a excellent dance track as well, and the remixes by Assemblage23 and Imperative Reaction only serve to emphasize that fact.

Thankfully, that's not the sole highlight of the disc. The hard-edged EBM of "Mindkiller" immediately follows "Age Of Computers", and shortly thereafter is the excellent club track "Despair". "Stranger In A Strange Land" is probably the most synthpop-oriented track on the disc, but that isn't a negative comment at all - more of a reflection of how many styles this disc successfully incorporates along the way. "Beyond Human" has very Kraftwerkian vocal effect used throughout, but the modern EBM music style keeps the track feeling very fresh. The non-remix portion of the disc closes with "Nobody's Hero" and "Faith In Nothing", both excellent EBM tracks.

Just about all the remixes are also outstanding. The "Faith In Nothing" remix seemed to tip the scales just a bit too far in regard to the original song versus new elements. Other than that one issue, this is a great crop of remixes, and add a lot of value to the album. I think that if you enjoy bands such as Endanger or Namnambulu, but prefer a more EBM slanted approach, you'll love this disc. I know I do.

-Jason Baker - www.synthpop.net

Beyond Humanity, the third album from New York-based Interface, offers a refreshing earful of forward-thinking, futuristic electro-pop. This highly-charged melodic escapade expands outward from its understated opening track, “Gravity,” accelerating from zero to sixty in the blink of an eye. Staccato beats and fluid arpeggios sizzle around the vocoded articulations of singer Eric Eldredge as “Age of Computers” kicks into high gear. “Mind Killer” shows off the programming and arrangement skills of Eldredge and bandmate Jon Billian, as this highly infectious dance track palpitates like a heart on the verge of infarction! The place slows a bit on “Wonderland,” but cranks back up again on “Despair,” a repetitious but energetic instrumental. “Stranger in a Strange Land” incorporates samples and some nicely executed vocal melodies in a very palatable fashion. The vocoder returns on the title track, “Beyond Human,” along with some very familiar, euphonic retro beats and effects – musically and thematically, one must believe there’s a nod to techno godfathers Kraftwerk in here somewhere! “Insomniac” slams on the breaks, its slow, flowing beat giving it a much darker sheen than the rest of the album. “Nobody’s Hero” is definitely a cut above, and should emerge as a dancefloor favorite for clubgoers this summer. “Faith in Nothing” closes out the album nicely, though I had to laugh while listening to the chorus, as I was reminded of the nihilists from “The Big Lebowski” – we believe in nothing!

As this is an Expanded Edition, six additional remix tracks (some from deleted releases on the now-dormant Tinman record label) have been included on the disc. Contributors to this effort include Assemblage 23, Stromkern, Combichrist, Imperative Reaction, and DJ Sean Tyas. “Clear Night,” remixed here by Sean Tyas, originally appeared on 2002’s “Angels in Disguise.” “Doubts and Fears,” an 80’s new-wave influenced track originally available via the internet, was previously only available in CD format on the “State of Synthpop 2005” 5-disc set. The other remixes feature songs from this album that sound significantly different from the originals, making for a really nice mixture of styles. Jump on this!

-Marc Tater - ChainDLK Germany

"Beyond Humanity" is Interface's third full-length album. The long-awaited follow-up to their 2002 breakthrough "Angels in Disguise" was recorded entirely in the computer environment, and reflects a more focused and aggressive sound than its predecessor while retaining founder Eric Eldredge's melody and songwriting touch. "Beyond Humanity" is a well balanced album with a good equilibrium between uptempo tracks and listening songs. Easy listening Electropop with a dance & trance mood. "Age of Computers" and "Mindkiller" are immediatly bulls eye. Another top track is "Beyond Human" which has a "krafty" vintage touch due to the vocoder use. If you fancy VNV Nation and adepts you will probably like this release, but also trance lovers who go for a sound of Blank&Jones or Cosmic Gate will dig this one too.

-Davitch - Gothtronic

Interface's latest disc, Angels In Disguise, contains 15 widely varied electro tracks that range from upbeat to atmospheric. The melodic and occasionally rough male vocals of Eric Eldredge, who is also responsible for for almost all of the music, dominate the album. However, the surprising gem, "Labyrinth", features sublime female vocals by Jaki Neko. Other noteworthy tracks include the dark industrial "You Will Learn", the upbeat synthpop "Ability", the experimental "Sublimated", and the dancefloor EBM of "Wasted Time". With so much to offer, Angels In Disguise makes for an exceptional electro album. - Outburn Magazine

Hailing from Long Island, Interface has been lurking under the radar for about a decade. Their sixth release, Angels In Disguise, has finally landed them a full-time deal with Tinman Records, and for good reason. Interface manages to walk the tightrope in between a more eclectic approach and schizophrenia. Transcending several electronic genres, they manage to maintain a cohesive sound through their uncanny ability to write catchy melodies.

Angels In Disguise provides an excellent cross section of the electro/synthpop sound today. Although it does not forge much new ground, the 15-track album stands out on its own with more than a handful of standout tracks. "Temperature" and "Ability" represent a few songs that have potential club play while the hard-hitting single "Wasted Time" will definitely rock the dance floor in the future. Keep and eye out for this release and the resurgent Tinman Records. You will be pleasantly surprised. - Industrial Nation

Interface's sound climbs to previously uncharted heights with this engrossing and highly dance-driven EP. Much as its name implies, this release goes well beyond what listeners have come to expect from Interface. This act's material has always been technically brilliant, but the emotional element frequently seemed to be somewhat lacking. In contrast, Destination Focus does not hesitate to bring its audience along for a wild ride through sounds and beats that pay close attention to creating the buildup and the corresponding catharsis that marks truly great music, whatever the genre. The electronic wizardry is much more advanced in this EP, with layers that are not only more carefully crafted, but are blended together in a way that is thoroughly absorbing and entrancing.

The four different versions of "Destination" are all excellent, each evoking the epic intensity that makes a song memorable and fills a dance floor time and time again. The single version revives the smooth, streamlined electronic sound that fans of Interface have come to expect, but with an edgy drive that really does have the touch of adventure and excitement implied by the name of the song. The State of the Union remix is incredible, with long breaks that add pomp and drama to the already impressive formula. The Code 64 remix takes things in a more playful synthpop direction, while the Mindless Faith remix is hard and heavy. The additional new songs are equally if not more memorable than the title track. With "Northstar," the beat comes in hard and strong and is soon accompanied by vocals that have a slightly electric lilt, causing them to come across as more subdued while the fierce and many-layered electronics take center stage. "Inferno" may be the most aggressive track that Interface has ever put out, with a crushing introduction of long, descending synths that dive into an unstoppable progression of beats. "After Hours" creates yet another mood that is uncharacteristic of Interface, this time a slightly playful vocal delivery matched by synths that seem to be divided between enigmatic and wistful, though the two feelings increasingly come together and flow with mutual conviction as the end comes nearer in sight.

Interface has noticeably moved to the next level with Destination Focus. Those familiar with previous material will be impressed and newcomers will be blown away. Anyone into electronic dance music that refuses to be dismissed as background noise and cannot help but steal center stage should check this out! --Review by Dillon Carlyon - ReGen Magazine