Reviews

"Now what whispers are only these cursed Winds Of War" -- John K

Although the quote itself has rather little value without the complete poem from the lining it serves to help illustrate that "The Winds Of War" is about emotion and nothing more. The music is used to deliver the moods and atmosphere that make this album truly great.

Falling mainly into the industrial and gothic scene those listening to only metal may choose to stop reading now. Sub Version is an electronic band driven almost entirely by synth and without any significant traces of rock. It's dark and atmospheric. Simple melodies and beats from the world of trance make their way into the industrial fare and introduce a very original sound. Borrowing from the techno influence it uses a lot of noticeable repetition and although structurally solid none of the individual tracks (not CD tracks) have any degree of complexity.

Some of the songs are vary simple yet quite moving, such as "Hope". This tends to balance with the darker more depressed moods of the heavier songs -- in which the power is completed by the deep vocals. The gothic feel comes without the complete loss of speed, as is often the case -- the general speed of the album keeps fairly constant, not excessively slow and not fast.

"Winds Of War" is a very impressive album that is technically sound and emotionally strong. It offers a balance of genres that will keep a variety of listeners pleased and will likely find their way into the CD player many times.

Sub Version's The Winds of War gives me hope for the future of gothic music. Most gothic bands currently seem unwilling or unable to develop their own sound. John Koviak, the sole member of Sub Version, obviously has no such qualms.

Sub Version's music is mostly electronic, a fusion of industrial and classical elements with a romantic edge that gives this release a decidedly gothic atmosphere. Approximately half of the material on Winds of War is comprised of excellent instrumental pieces that help create a very melancholic atmosphere, piecing together the otherwise divergent music on this release.

The remaining material ranges from slow, brooding ballads such as "You Live in My Dreams" to the industrial track "Purity." The strongest of these pieces are those between these two extremes, namely "Will" and "Ice Angel." Both songs combine infectious and danceable industrial beats with gothic overtones, making both pieces great dance-floor staples. In fact, DJ's should purchase The Winds of War for these tracks alone, especially for "Will". In short, The Winds of War is probably the best gothic release of 1997, and will appeal to both DJ's and music collectors alike.

Sub Version is a dark electronic band with tracks that range from tragic gothic love songs and Bowiesque ballads, to upbeat electro compositions. For the most part, the entire album is very lulled and laid back with a very calming feel to it. However a handful of more upbeat pieces are just fast enough to be able to dance to them. Perhaps the strongest feature on the album is the vocal work. The vocalist, John, has a rather dynamic range which seems to suit the varied programming style present on the album. Sub Version also does an excellent job of crossing both the electro and gothic genres without resorting to rehashing old musical concepts. As a result, the album should appeal to both genres equally without using any of the standard cliches of either.

Sub Version's John Koviak (Or John K as he likes to be called these days) is a name which is probably going to be familiar to a lot of people. Aside from a spot of modelling for the notorious Propaganda magazine it seems most people just seem to know who he is.

The Winds of War is Sub Version's CD debut after a trio of cassettes. This was my first chance to hear Sub Version's version of electronic gothic which does, or should do, something pretty radical to the gothic genre. While the gothic and industrial genres have existed alongside each other for quite some time... few people have chosen to explore the frontiers which the electronic offer the gothic world. Early Clan of Xymox, Depeche Mode and bands of their ilk began to examine that direction... but it wasn't until I heard Fear Cult a few years ago that I really heard someone run with the idea.

Sub Version, while worlds away in style, production and delivery, follow similar themes. Introspection, love and pain, romance and desolation all worm their way out of this mature and well presented album (replete with cover artwork by Faith & The Muse's Monica Richards)

Sub Versions music tries at all times to retain warmth and humanity, using the machines as the blood which allows this entity to function.

The album opens with an instrumental, not really an original idea I know, but the combination of piano and reverberating keyboards, building slowly to a climax allow this track to tug at the heart-strings, while setting a mood which will finally be resolved in the last track.

While Will and Purity both pound out intelligently structured electro-tunes - a little like what Snog once offered.

And yes, there is a hidden track - so just hang on when the last heart-wrenching chords of You Live In My Dreams fade away. 'The Winds of War' has become the soundtrack to my life at this moment - a position occupied by just a few other albums (Disintegration and Floodland are examples) and once which does not occur lightly. He's a pretty boy too, and that's never hurt anyone's career.

This CD is full of moods and an almost ambient like atmosphere. Don't expect a hard hitting dance floor cd, do however expect an elegant trip. A great depressing sounding CD which will move you. This Cd is full of melodies. Deep male vocals, and electronics.