Mnemic
Passenger
Release date: January 19th 2007
Label: Nuclear Blast
Distribution: VME (Denmark)
Website: www.mnemic.com
Style: Cyber Metal
Rating: 90/100
Artwork rating: 70/100
Reviewed by: Thomas Nielsen
Date: January 1st 2007

Initial thought – as first track, Humanaut sets in: 'Oh no. What a mess. They’ve gone for just being noise'.

 

Second thought: 'Man, that French guy sounds a lot like (former Mnemic singer) Michael Bøgballe'.

 

Third thought – when second track, In the Nothingness Black, kicks in: 'Phew, more structure. This is groovy, this is cool'!

 

On this their third release, Mnemic sound a lot like Mnemic. Which is good.
 

They also manage to embrace the controlled madness that Strapping Young Lad has. And perhaps there’s a bit of Meshuggah technicality in the melting pot as well. 
The usual penchant for a catchy chorus is always present and executed perfectly by space cadet Guillaume Bideau.

 

The production/mixing team behind ‘Passenger’ is perfect for Mnemic, with Christian Olde Wolbers, Warren Riker and Tue Madsen turning the knobs.

Wolbers is, one could ponder, very suitably taking Mnemic to the next step as he and Fear Factory were probably the main inspiration for the band when they started out. The trio has delivered a nuanced yet heavy sound for the Danish/French quartet, a sound that I could easily see Mnemic holding on to for a long while.

 

The third release is said to be the make it or break it effort. Mnemic make it, no doubt. They’ve matured without becoming boring. They dare throw in the crazy shit, they stay heavy and true to what initially made them tick.

 

47 and a half minute fly in the company of Mnemic. Try it.