MUSIC REVIEWS 15
He is a really unique phenomenon on music scene. Expressive and mysterious, dark and hermetic, with idiosyncratic style and powerful vocal, IAMX experiments on every album, including his latest one. Ever since he released his first album, his enigmatic persona and complex advent were shining through his visual expression and music production. His autonomy and independency have taken him to Berlin where he currently lives and finds inspiration for his art. This album is maybe the best indicator of the pain that Chris holds within. Music is his therapy. Metanoia, as the title suggests it, is a change in cognitive and behavioral pattern, a transition in style. IAMX sounds more mature and he is dealing with the mess inside of him more efficiently. Through contemplation taking place in the deep rivers of the psyche, he managed to record a melancholic electronic record where every track showcases his effort to share his intimacy.
If I was to compare this album with some of his previous records, it would definitely be The Alternative, which means Chris is going back to basics. The only difference is that the sound is even more dark and there are not as many synths as before. Metanoia is more gothic.
The result is not painful to listen. On the contrary, it is like a dialogue with Chris who is taking you to a journey where you will meet yourself more profoundly. Creativity emerges from every song, including the opening track No-Maker Made Me, self conscious track in which he is looking for an identity and rejects to belong to someone beyond himself. He is he and he sings about it.
Happiness reminded me of Kingdom Of Welcome Addiction, while Oh Cruel Darkness Embrace Me is a bit up-tempo. It served as a second single and it is my favorite from this album. At the end, Aphrodisiac brings out IAMX’s falsetto and it represents the most fun track.
In all its complexity, Metanoia brings another eclectic and honest story of an artist who is his own best critic.
