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PIN-UP WENT DOWN – “2 Unlimited”
Published: 2008.09.05
Ascendance Records (2008)

French Import Pin-Up Went Down is a VERY unique and utterly different project you don’t stumble upon too often. “2 Unlimited” was created by and features multi-instrumentalist/chief songwriter Alex Damien who handles all guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals and also the recording and mixing of this release; lastly female vocalist Asphodel rounds out the dynamic duo. Apparently Alex and Asphodel met only twice prior to recording this CD!

The final product here is an extremely diverse, mesmerizing and ultra creative 13 song effort which explores a wide variety of genres and styles of music on each track not to mention even within each song. For example “Yo Yo Yes Then No” starts off with a funky, danceable bass and drum beat arrangement enhanced with Asphodel’s very girlish high pitched voice singing over it and then suddenly the song shifts into a very moshy, dark metal core like chorus part which features Alex Damien’s aggressive growled out vocals. Then, without warning the song shifts back into the funky pop verse arrangement again. Yes, very strange but original to say the least. Pin-Up Went Down become even more cleverly creative on the humourously entitled “Only Some Shitty Chemical Stuff” which kicks off with a electronica/techno flavored synth programming arrangement and then changes over into a menacing, muscular mosh part breakdown in the chorus, sort of in the vein of bands like Hatebreed or Illdisposed. Of course then Pin-Up shifts back into the technoish verse part. More straightforward metal can be found on the track “Be My Idol, Then My Fall” which consists of speedy double bass blast beats, nuclear powered guitar chords and excellent screamed and growled vocals that closely resemble those of Max Cavalera. Interesting enough, Asphodol provides her higher ranged vocals to the brutally heavy chorus which sounds odd but original with the poppy singing tactics. Imagine No Doubt meets Sepultura and you get the idea.

Basically your typical metal purist who attends the Wacken festival every year may not appreciate this CD, but those of you seeking an exhilarating and totally unusual listening experience may very well dig Pin-Up Went Down and all their oddball musicianship. Aside from being perfect music to listen to while tripping on LSD, “2 Unlimited” is by far, one of the most original efforts I’ve come across in 2008. Very impressive.

5/6

Indie Dist (www.plastichead.com)
www.myspace.com/pinupwentdown
www.ascendancerecords.com

Composed by Alex K.