Accessory- Forever and Beyond

Artist: Accessory
CD Title: Forever and Beyond
Label: Metropolis Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 9/27/05

On their latest album, Accessory make up for a somewhat formulaic approach with solid craftsmanship. While the band should be commended for not caving in to futurepop and power noise trends, album opener “The Faint” sounds little different from old Front Line Assembly, and the sadomasochistic themes of “One Night” don’t add anything to the genre that Leather Strip didn’t already explore a decade and a half ago. Still, though these tracks can be predictable, that doesn’t mean they’re not made well. “Midnight Fire” is appealingly fast and choppy, while “Distorted View” and “Unfinished” incorporate a more industrial sound, with metallic scrapes and reverberations sharing the rhythm section with the synthesized pulse of EBM. Much of this shows an old school influence, with the soaring hard trance synth programming of “Mastermind” and “Obsession” being the exception, rather than the rule. Accessory’s songwriting might not be the most memorable, but the band sticks to a proven formula that’s bound to get your boots stomping out on the dance floor.

Visit Accessory’s website at www.fightthefuture.de