Android Lust

I love the idea of a female fronted Industrial rock band. Android Lust serve as one of the verry few bands to even attempt such a thing and for that I give them cred. As for this album..."This Body", and "Dragonfly" are really the only songs that I am really excited about. I felt that this album was just a little too slow for my tastes...and many of the songs took too long to build up and climax...hey...kinda like a girl! Heah. Anyways, if your looking for the female version of Nine Inch Nails than look no further. Sadley, Android Lust needs a little more work.

Shikhee has always inpressed me with her talent when it comes to music, and this album is no exception. This review will not be long, because it would just repeat itself: This album is fantastic. No other way to say it. Buy it here, buy it on iTunes, just buy it. You'll be glad you did.

Its a bit difficult at times to put into words what
you feel while experiencing the soundwaves of a
new disc spinning...
And for some, a collection of your favorite artists
work is much like a puzzle that is not complete without
each piece...Each piece of time building up to what
the artist has become and improved...
The quality of this disc through emotions
and the mental pictures that it carves into your mind,
and production techniques that are quite often
left out of many releases today makes it stand out from the
other releases in a collection of modern releases.
It leaves a mark, and it doesnt all come the first listen.
You will hear new things with each spin that
you swear werent there before.
There may even be times you shut the cd off
to make sure that its really the cd you are hearing,
not someone behind you...Or in the other room slamming the door...
And many times i found myself saying outloud
"did i really just hear my thoughts and experiences presented outloud in song form by another...
Or did i just imagine thats what the lyrics were...?"

As i mentioned before, this doesnt all come the first listen,
Maybe not even the second listen, but when you feel it,
youll know what to look for and you will continue to break apart and study pieces continuously...
There are moments of very personal writing that becomes
much more than "just" writing when sang by that voice you will
remember forever...It becomes alive and you feel
emotions you may not be sure if your supposed to be feeling....

A friend of mine, described it as "the dividing part 2!"
I dont completely agree. Its much broader than The previous
"The Dividing."
Much more colorful, much more dimensional, and very much
improved in the clarity of its structure and production.

It does contain the elements of "astral Projection" that
The Dividing started and instilled permanently
into the listeners mind,
however it is much deeper,less obvious,more open ended to interpretation,much more haunting!
A wider direction soundwise and themewise than The Dividing,
as apposed to a continuation in the direction of
the theme/approach to The Dividing.

Soundwise-now thats a *HUGE* improvement!
Proof that the artist does not want to release anything
short of amazing,capturing,finely detailed,
no stone left unturned!
Proof that the artist does not want to release
a generic listening environment in *ANY* way at all!
Its startling how real the "environment" becomes!

"LEAH" brings shivers from the top of whats left of my
mind down to the depths of my arched back everytime i listen,
An excellent example of a "listening environment" as apposed
to the common "track number ___" so common in many of todays
recent releases.
The kind of environment, you swear is not comeing out of the speakers.

This disc also opens up many new doors for music listeners
of all preferences,shapes and sizes.
Much more "depth" than the other great releases,
You have to hear it to believe it, words cant do the justice
of explaining the growth Android Lust has proven to have done,
many new exciting elements of sound created with the many faces of instruments-accoustic,stringed,technology synthetics,etc.
Much more than any of the other releases.

I will leave the lyrical interpretation of the songs up to you,
However if there is one thing to be said about it,
you will feel every breath of every lyric and picture it
paints straight in your chest just like you feel the descending
of an airplane approaching the runway.

"Thomael" captures a piece or perhaps pieces of time of the artists companions voices contributing to the time capsule that is known as an album.

There are 13 tracks total,and all 13 of them shoot straight back through your head like a fever when the disc has finished,
You will sit in the silence and think about what you have just heard,and the places it has taken you,and the faces you remember.
Dare you take another spin???
Or continue to ponder in the hallway that this key has opened up?

There aren't a whole lot of artists nowadays whose album releases are seen as a god send. One of those artists is Android Lust who finally releases a follow up to 2002's "The Dividing". "Devour, Rise and Take Flight" picks up where "The Dividing" leaves off but it is a much more aggressive album. The cd begins with the searing "Lover Thine". "Lover Thine" is the most inacessible track on the cd yet it is one of my favorite songs on the cd because it is such a contrast to the closing song "Unrecognize", an acoustic track. It is an aural assault on the ears which might not suit well for casual AL fans or people who have never heard of AL. Thankfully the rest fo the album does not consist of songs as abrasive as "Lover Thine", nevertheless the songs are harder edged and brutal than "The Dividing". I like how Shikhee's vocals changes from a seductive whisper to a ferocious growl through out the 50 minute cd. The music may be a brutal assualt on the ears but there still is a sense of a melody in the songs. I don't like to use the word "brilliant" to describe an artist but what Android Lust does here is brilliant. Shikhee continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, challenging the listener with the twists and turns to create music that is eerily cathartic that is layered with abrasive computerized samples. What really stood out for me was the closing song "Unrecognize". I was totally thrown off by the stripped down, acoustic sound of the song. It was the very complete opposite of the noise infested sounds of "Love Thine". I loved it. It was the yang to the yin of the opening track. "Devour, Rise and Take Flight" was well worth the four year wait. It did not disappoint this fan.

Xxon Mill's REVIEW at igloomag.com ::
(02.10.06) In this forbidden land of blips, metal sounds and splintered beats, we move through the dark-lands, carrion calling, for some new frequencies, something to implode in the distance, and make us stand up and take notice that something unique was set off here. Fate and purpose now have a new name: Android Lust. The new album, Devour, Rise and Take Flight simply defies description. The wonderfully warped, mind-bending assault is strangely cohesive in that we are walking though the mind of Shikhee, writer, performer and creator of Android Lust.

Pushing the barrier forward, this new record takes us into new and refreshing territory. "Wicked Days" first caught my ear as a captivating track, with so much feeling and depth upon hearing it once, I immediately wanted to hear it again. "Fell The Empty Mask" was another crystal heart track for me (crystal heart means honest, cold and brutal). "Memory Game" is another fantastic track with a great line in it: "Seems my memory has stalled/words mean nothing at all." I just thought this was bent... and of course "Dragonfly" is bombastically cool, but as a preference I like the "Low" version on the single.

How different this disc was caught me off guard, which any progressive underground disc should... knock you on your ass and you should say wow. This did for me. The album title Devour, Rise and Take Flight reflects the ascension of the artist, Shikhee, fine-tuning her craft into an intelligent audio assault. The boundaries have been broken, now enjoy the storm.

this album is very nice, each track is in its own world
i am not a big ebm fan but i think this album is more then just an ebm album, its got its own vibe going and is very smart,
her voice is beautiful and her songs are well done.
if yur in to ebm that is not like all the other guys and want to stray from future pop
check this album out now

Let's start out with how I look at music. If a band puts out a album and I hear one of their songs on the radio or on a download and I like it - I check them out. BUT it'll take at LEAST three songs to get me to fork out the money to buy their album. Okay, maybe I'm a hard ass, but if they have REAL talent, then it SHOULD transcend past a single song.

Android Lust, is a TRUE ORIGINAL.

Fronted by the mysterious and talented Shikhee, her music is spellbinding!

It is the kind of music that haunts you in the middle of the night with its lyrics creating die-hard emotion and the daunting delivery of Shikhee's voice will shake you to your very own electronic soul. Backed with incredibly complex musical timings, Android Lust really pushes the envelope of genre classifications for Industrial; electronic; Nu-Metal and Performance Artistry into something more futuristic.

Simple put, Shikhee IS ONE OF THE SINGLE MOST ORIGINAL ARTISTS AROUND TODAY.

She puts her incredible talent into something more than just music; more than just lyrics; more than the darkness we hide inside each of us and brings it out with heart wrenching electricity. Android Lust is an incredible futuristic vision and on the very cutting edge of things to come in what we know about alternative music.

If you really want to run the blade of the razor's edge between what you know today and what could be the next force in futuristic music - Android Lust is what you are looking for.

Don't stop at the cover!

Get inside and feel the electronic heard and the mechanical soul of Android Lust.

Although signed to Projekt records, which is best known for dreamy groups like Love Spirals Downwards or darkwave groups like Lycia, the one mastermind behind Android Lust is far from the norm. Shikhee (yes, a female!) is unlike any singer I've ever heard before and her music is widely diversified. Usually I'm able to compare an artist as sounding akin to another (in terms of voice, at least) but she truly does stand out as a unique musician. I admit, her shrilly whispers got on my nerves at first but that's only because I'm accustomed to beautiful, otherwordly singers. However, in an icy sort of way, she does have a nice voice when she's not aggressively screaming, which I don't mind at all anymore as it fits in well with the mood of the songs.

I guess you could consider 'The Dividing' a Goth album with its dark, venomous rhythms but it's so much more than that. The music draws heavily on electronica with pounding techno beats on "Unbeliever", for example, along with elements of rock, industrial, and even some classical. A flute opens "Fall To Fragments" and a gorgeous viola haunts the closing track, "Burn". The lyrics and singing are mostly filled with regret and loathing that's fiercely emotional yet there's also an ethereal quality to the material, rewarding us with a breath of fresh air that's neither stagnant nor copied.

As to the person who was bashing so many for writing positive reviews for this album, claiming they're not 'objective' enough to be helpful, well did you ever think that perhaps they gave it five stars because they appreciate what they've heard here? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and you may not always agree with them but you should at least respect them! Sure, I buy a lot of music but that doesn't mean I'm never going to go back to this or like it any less in the future!

FYI: When I listen to something I haven't played in a while I oftentimes end up enjoying it more than before and I'm sure the same can be said for others! (Sorry... I just had to comment on that).

I originally wrote a review for this CD on Amazon and found that it appeard only in one place when the CD is listed twice.

I decided to post it here too because the review that follows is even more relevant here given the tendency of many who have reviewed below seem to not be able to restrain their emotions enough to give an objective review that will help other potential buyers. Very often these people who falls head over heels with something quickly also fall out of love with it when the next new thing comes along. Not very helpful to those who read such reviews for some guidance.

Here is my original review:

OK. Aren't you tired of reviews (here and other items) that just gush with unbridled enthusiasm and give everything five stars? I am not saying my opinion is more valid than others but I am very suspect of reviews that treat the item being reviewed as if it was "holy water". Truth be known, friends of the artist and die hard fans are encouraged to submit their "objective" reviews by which you will make a decision.

So, let's deal with Android Lust's "The Dividing" without preconceived notions (positive or negative). I will attempt to at least TRY to write a review that is helpful to those who are thinking...."will I like this?"

First, the packaging. A well designed, quality presentation. Nothing to fault here. I would not say it is very original but I will say that it is quite pleasant.

The production quality, on the whole is average and I would have to say that the mastering/mix is congested and somewhat disappointing. Play this on your CD player and then switch to Laibach's new CD "WAT" or a Nine Inch Nails CD and you will feel as if your sinuses cleared. It is not that "The Dividing" is poorly mixed but simply that the limitations are quite apparent.

The first track is standard "industrial" fare. In a way it is a sort of a filler piece. The sort of track one might skip when you first hear the CD hoping there are better things to come.

The second track "Kingdom of One" is one hell of a ride! I was honestly taken aback by this track. In this track (perhaps one of the best on here), Shikhee proves that she has the talent. The angst comes through loud an clear. The tempo is quick and the track is a mix of punk, elctronic and industrial guided by simple garage band drums (it works here well). The vocals are very jarring (don't expect a lullaby)!

The next two tracks are pretty standard fare electronic based industrial (fairly punchy and interesting bass lines). To give you a better frame of reference, these tracks are familiar in style to the better days of industrial music (the late 80's/early '90s) - this is both praise and criticism because it is a bit too obviously influenced by a particular group or two and could be faulted for being a bit of a re-hashing. BUT,these tracks grow on you and I would give them average to above average marks.

"The Want" is another track that stands out. Here, Android Lust shows their (her?) talents well. Great sequencer programming, good choices of sounds and a danceable "groovy" industrial track. Most industrial fans would not be disappointed!

The tracks that follow tend to average out as similar in quality to tracks 1 through 5 (average to above average, a couple of filler tracks). With the exception of occasional bright moments (there are quite a few), they don't fully capture the magic of the CDs two most powerful tracks, "Kingdom of One" and "The Want".

So, there you have it. Few, very exceptional, albums get 5 stars from me (they have to be history making in their genre, the sort of stuff other serious musicians refer to), 4 stars are reserved for albums that set a high bar for others). Three stars are for overall good to very good in my book (remember this is just my humble opinion - take it for what you think it is worth). Two is for standard fare, predictable consumer stuff you may buy if you are bored. One star is for poor...and I am not sure if Amazon even gives you the "zero" star choice....

THIS ALBUM? IT IS 3 STARS FROM ME.

if you have not heard this cd i suggest you buy it! really wonderful. full of amazing emotion and swift beats great for anyones taste!
this is a great band(solo artist really.) and if youve never heard of them go their official site:: www.androidlust.com Shikhee's voice is incredible.

This is a great industrial album, yet it has a distinctly female touch. The industrial edge is solid, with heavy electronic, (almost trance-like at times) elements. The vocals are often as industrial as instrumentation and more often than not become a seamless part of the music. I don't think anyone who likes industrial or electronic music would be ashamed to have this in their collection.

i don't know how i lived my life before i first heard this. this is one of the coolest things i've heard in a really long time, and amazingly enough it's Industrial as done by the female of the species. the music sounds very Velvet Acid Christ, but she doesn't bother with the samples so much, using her own voice instead. Hah what a concept! anyway, seriously, check this out.

Android Lust has a classic industrial feel in a sense, but with a little divergence: its prettier (in a disurbing sort of way). The lyrics are strong yet subtle, her voice is great, and the music is like a brooding, rough-edged, melody (if that makes any sense). Regardless, I'm much more of an old school industrial fan, and I was pleasantly surprised by this one; it's not often that the new stuff captures the passion and energy of the old.. This CD is great, and I highly recommend it.

Android Lust is true harsh and grinding industrial music. Her debut album, Resolution, has the same hypnotic appeal that the newer Decoded Feedback albums have. Even though it's not fast, it grabs your attention and lures you in with it's unique sound. The second track, Refuse, is one of Android Lust's best and most popular songs. If you are a fan of Skinny Puppy, Front Line Assembly, or Nine Inch Nails, you can't go wrong with this album.

I first heard the song "refuse "at a club about a month ago and instantly fell in love with it...everytime I go now I request it. The layering is amazing, reminiscent of early Skinny Puppy.

Well..I ordered the disc the next day, and I can honestly say that not one song is even a bit of a disappointment. The entire cd is very listenable....very layered...excellent. If you are a fan of the Puppy or Frontline Assembly this one is highly recommended.

I have heard that Android Lust is a live performance not to be missed.....and am eagerly awaiting my opportunity to go.

Like the previous remix cd, Evolution, by Android Lust - this is a beautiful collaboration of new music and remixed songs by Shikhee. The acoustic songs are very nice relaxing songs and there are also the harder more gothic-industrial songs that accent this album. It is a must have for Android lust fans. Most of the remixes come from songs from the album: the Dividing, whereas one comes from Resolution and a few from the single: the Want. I would recommend this CD to anyone who is first exploring Android Lust.

This woman rocks, her work just keeps getting better and more polished with each release, this EP is well worth the money.

At first I didn't really like the album too much since it was just remixes and not much of Shikhee's original work but after listening to it 3 or 4 times it grew on me until it was a regular in my CD player. The remixes are done by some of the biggest names in the genre. That alone was worth it but they did made amazing music into more amazing which is very difficult to do. It's worth getting. No doubt about it.

-Romeo

Often interesting lyrics and some what used synth sounds make a rather incomplete album that you either like or despise. I thought it was decent for a few weeks but as I peered deeper into the tracks I noticed a level of immaturity in the abilities of the lyrics. The music itself is decent for gothic industrial but the album never enters classic cult status due to underdeveloped talent. Perhaps the band has aged since then and become more aquainted with the instruments. I do however like the singers voice distortion effects but they too are overdone in this genre.

With all of the "cloned" material that comes out of the second-generation industrial scene, this one really stands out. Android Lust hits you with a new originality as well as a truly dark atmosphere-- one that lacks the typical contrivance of its contemporaries. In this album, artist Shikee weaves lurid sounds and violent echoes into an enticing rythem that's hard to ignore; in fact you'll find it almost never becomes the droning monotony that is so much of today's average industrial music. The atmosphere has a similair feeling to older music by the Bauhaus and Joy Division's album Closer, but the electric vocals and music itself are some of the most intense and unpredictable since the original Skinny Puppy. In addition to containing several remixes of previous work on the Resolution album, and a cover of the Bauhaus' Slice of Life, this album also comes equiped with a short concert video that lets you see how close the gleaming vision of the artist herself is linked with her music. Its hard-core on the electronics, quick on transitions, correctly-balanced on samplng (a plus), and rich in its level of mystique. Definately worth the price!

THE MUSIC: this album shows Shikhee's diversity and range. a wonderful album, with a drum and bass version of "down" and a hauntingly beautiful version of "slice of life".

THE VIDEO: i shot this video back in June of 1998 durring a live performance. the video is beautiful in it's simplicity, image flowing and fading into darkness. although the lowered frame rate does detract from the original impact, the overall feel remains. i hope you enjoy it!

OK. Aren't you tired of reviews (here and other items) that just gush with unbridled enthusiasm and give everything five stars? I am not saying my opinion is more valid than others but I am very suspect of reviews that treat the item being reviewed as if it was "holy water". Truth be known, friends of the artist and die hard fans are encouraged to submit their "objective" reviews by which you will make a decision.

So, let's deal with Android Lust's "The Dividing" without preconceived notions (positive or negative). I will attempt to at least TRY to write a review that is helpful to those who are thinking...."will I like this?"

First, the packaging. A well designed, quality presentation. Nothing to fault here. I would not say it is very original but I will say that it is quite pleasant.

The production quality, on the whole is average and I would have to say that the mastering/mix is congested and somewhat disappointing. Play this on your CD player and then switch to Laibach's new CD "WAT" or a Nine Inch Nails CD and you will feel as if your sinuses cleared. It is not that "The Dividing" is poorly mixed but simply that the limitations are quite apparent.

The first track is standard "industrial" fare. In a way it is a sort of a filler piece. The sort of track one might skip when you first hear the CD hoping there are better things to come.

The second track "Kingdom of One" is one hell of a ride! I was honestly taken aback by this track. In this track (perhaps one of the best on here), Shikhee proves that she has the talent. The angst comes through loud an clear. The tempo is quick and the track is a mix of punk, elctronic and industrial guided by simple garage band drums (it works here well). The vocals are very jarring (don't expect a lullaby)!

The next two tracks are pretty standard fare electronic based industrial (fairly punchy and interesting bass lines). To give you a better frame of reference, these tracks are familiar in style to the better days of industrial music (the late 80's/early '90s) - this is both praise and criticism because it is a bit too obviously influenced by a particular group or two and could be faulted for being a bit of a re-hashing. BUT,these tracks grow on you and I would give them average to above average marks.

"The Want" is another track that stands out. Here, Android Lust shows their (her?) talents well. Great sequencer programming, good choices of sounds and a danceable "groovy" industrial track. Most industrial fans would not be disappointed!

The tracks that follow tend to average out as similar in quality to tracks 1 through 5 (average to above average, a couple of filler tracks). With the exception of occasional bright moments (there are quite a few), they don't fully capture the magic of the CDs two most powerful tracks, "Kingdom of One" and "The Want".

So, there you have it. Few, very exceptional, albums get 5 stars from me (they have to be history making in their genre, the sort of stuff other serious musicians refer to), 4 stars are reserved for albums that set a high bar for others). Three stars are for overall good to very good in my book (remember this is just my humble opinion - take it for what you think it is worth). Two is for standard fare, predictable consumer stuff you may buy if you are bored. One star is for poor...and I am not sure if Amazon even gives you the "zero" star choice....

THIS ALBUM? IT IS 3 STARS FROM ME.

I came across an advertisement for "The Dividing" in a recent issue of Outburn magazine. My curiousity was piqued from the word "go". I rarely see women like Shikhee make industrial music, except with the exceptions of Vas Kallas of Hanzel Und Gretyl & Annelie Bertilsson of Cat Rapes Dog. As usual, luck would be on my side and I found a copy of "The Dividing" today at my favorite record store in its used cd bins. I loved what I heard on "The Dividing". Shikhee reminds me a lot like kaRIN from Collide. In fact I think Android Lust sounds like Collide meets Nine Inch Nails. Like Trent Reznor is Nine Inch Nails, Shikhee is Android Lust. Lyrically, the songs on "The Dividing" is filled with brutal honesty and angst. Shikhee sings with conviction. Although rough around the edges with traditional industrial beats and swirling , the songs are still melodic enough. Acoustic guitars. flutes, and the viola is even included on the album which adds a warmth to a normally cold genre of music. I found Shikhee's vocals quite sensual like Collide's kaRIN but in Android Lust, none of the trip hop elements. Shikhee also has a ferocious growl as well, especially in "The Want". Although not nearly as intimidating as Vas Kallas, Shikhee does a tremendous job of proving that women can make industrial music as well as the guys can. I thoroughly enjoyed "The Dividing". The album converted me into an Android Lust fan.

android lust shines beyond genre. people try to classify it as industrial, ebm, or just plain swirly-gothiness, but none of these designations can describe it as a whole. this is because it is totally the creation of a single mind, a pure and untainted vision: from the synths and sequencing to the dusky vocals, each component part compliements the whole smoothly and meticulously. it's emotional and exotic, sweet, sad, and angry.

as with genre, however, such terms can't quite pin it down either. android lust is an honest look into the mind of its creator, shikhee. however, it's a brutally honest view, handled in a way which isn't meant to establish empathy or endearment with her (like so many of these modern bands try to, through negative emotion). it reeks of things we'd rather not like to think about, or admit to sharing: anger, frustration, guilt, lust. and i mean the real things, not what we pretend to feel in the human drama that surrounds our day-to-day lives.

sometimes she's painful to listen to. not musically, of course, but emotionally... it's there that i believe the draw of it all is- she's niether good nor bad, just unyieldingly human. hence, we find in her a sympathetic spirit.

...so now you should go and buy the cd so you can find out what the hell i'm talking about, ne?

I wasn't really a fan of older Android Lust material. It always seemed a little cheesy and melodramatic to me. So, naturally I was interested when i started seeing ads and reading reviews for this release. I was also very happy to see DVM in operation, as I am quite fond of I, parasite. Anyway, I ordered the CD and have to say that I'm dissapointed with it. Granted, the production value of the CD is great. I just can't get into it because I don't feel like it goes anywhere... The drums sound very stiff and rigid... and though the vocals aren't effected as much than on the older CD's (don't get me wrong I don't like overly effected vocals) I just didn't get into them at all. I don't know... This CD was definately not for me, but maybe it would be perfect for you!

Android Lust has been on the scene no since the late 90's with the debut of Resolution. While Resolution was an album full of excellent dark electronic industrial elements with Female vocals that ranged from sinister whispers to pain filled meloncholy. Evolution the next step of Android Lust was a remix album taking twist and turns in every genre from Drum n Bass to Trance. Androi Lust thne teased us with "The Want" a single released months before The Dividing.
Where the Dividing shows an excellent progression in Shikhee's song writing ability. Where most Industrial bands just use the same ingrediant over over, Android Lust shows us she's will to push the envelope. One of the main things that stands out on this release is the fusion of organic elements. Instead of just being Synthesizers you hear violins, guitars and Cellos. Also not to mention The Dividing takes you on a journey filled with different emotions, emotions seem to be something desperatly lacking in most Electronic Industrial out there these days.

The first song I ever heard by Android Lust is Refuse and ever since I was hooked. I own every single of her albums. As a person Shikhee's awesome. As a musician she's even better. Shikhee's musicial composition is amazing and her voice is very versatile. Her lyrics are like none others. She's proving to the world with every song and show that a woman can be just a good as any guy and in her case better. If you want something new and someone that writes all their music and extremely well, this is the artist you're looking for. If you want someone that buys lyrics and lip sync to every song then get the Justin Timberlake album.

I picked up this CD after seeing Shikhee play live in Washington, D.C. in September 2001. First of all, if you haven't seen AL play live DO IT ASAYC! I own Android Lust's other two discs, Resolution and Evolution and they are great works of Electro-Industrial. This though, breaks beyond these mere genres, mixing electro with new wave, some bits of rock, and even a little pop... yes you read that right, pop. But don't be alarmed, this just means you'll be up late at night with these amazing melodies crashing around in your skull. I CAN NOT wait until the new album comes out after hearing this teaser. I think they played other new stuff live too, but all I can remember is the crowd breaking into a crazy mosh pit and having a great time. AL is harder, better and more raw then ever before! Wow.