Throughout the years Covenant's remained a benchmark talent as
Electronic music makers worldwide. Recognized as slightly less polished yet
still on an equal footing as such legendary acts as Depeche Mode, Sisters of
Mercy, Kraftwerk or Front 242 types, the progressively pared Swedish trio
continues to create instilling audio imagery that both stimulates and captivates
a listening mind on multiple levels of an aerobically inclined and intellectual
kind. Thus it is little surprise that their latest "Northern Light"
release is another step forward in dynamics and depth from even that which
they'd done on last year's more technically driven "United States Of Mind.
" Earliest moments indicate a close relationship between the two as
fiery opening tracks like "Monochrome" and the dazzling "Call The
Ships To Port" raise an immediate rush that come away like heavy adrenal
downpours on dance floor addicts with little use for ambient spatial
filler.
"Invisible & Silent" reveals a greater character depth among
the more significant of defining features from then to now, similarly seated in
an early DM tradition that's haunting, stirring and dissonant met and resolved
by a crusading chorus of hope amidst Eskil's (singer) thoughtful "While I
shape of things to come…" The majestic portrayal of "Winter"
arrives similarly, speaking of solitude in a silent almost secluded setting -
see album cover for reference.
It is rare in an age where followers arrive to an overcrowded scene in droves
hoping to fulfill some future vision or perceived void in a yet to be discovered
technological advance and be the next truly declared leader of many. Perhaps the
greatest attribute to Covenant's talents are that they were once that band for
many then, of a then yet to be discovered generation of underground music
followers; For many listeners today, they'll discover an album like this and
right away perceive it as "new".
In spite of Covenant's decade and a half history, they've managed to still
make considerable yet careful advances through time, in step with modernity, but
never out of touch with tradition. The pages are filled with the many who've
tried and failed; attempts to advance met with immediate retreat and subsequent
withdrawal. Covenant's "Northern Light" reveals an emerging talent
with a since fulfilled potential, ranked and acclaimed within the classes of EBM,
SynthPop, and any and all forms of digitized greatness bore of future vision and
evocative thought.
