Agent "Orange" Side Grinder

I discovered a new band (for me) through a fantastic Portuguese local radio program called "Sem Regras" (Withouth Rules). Actually, I did discovered 3 amazing bands on only one broadcast, which was incredible.

One of them was Agent Side Grinder, a Swedish electro/industrial band.

Their new single "This Is Us" was passing and I enjoyed it so much that later I listened to their whole new album "Alkimia".

The album consists of 8 great songs, most of them with more or less the same direction and, by coincidence, the song that guided me to them, is the one that is less fitted to the album in my opinion. 

"This Is Us" is a pop/rock electric single, that kinda reminds me of Joy Division or Bauhaus. The song is great, with a wonderful and catchy chorus and amazing keyboard riffs, maybe my favourite.

However, when I listened to the other songs, another band came to my mind, one of my all-time favourite acts, Depeche Mode. I know it's unfair to compare bands, but this case was special, because the English band really looks like a older brother of the Swede.

Kristoffer Grip's (the singer) voice has a very similar tone to Dave Gahan from the 80's and the instrumental section also has a big connection. Some keyboard riffs could easily fit in some of DM's songs from A Broken Frame or Construction Time Again. Also, Agent Side Grinder use a lot of sound samples. Take a close listen to "Giant Falls" (that middle section) and "For The Young" and, if you are a Mode's fan, you'll understand what I'm saying. Basically, imagine that Depeche Mode had frozen in the 80's, before their turned more guitar-orientated (so, before Violator), and they would unfroze today in the XXI century. I think they would be similar to ASG.

I don't you to keep the idea that Agent Side Grinder is a copy of Depeche Mode or too much 80's oriented, they are not, and I can't really say that, because I only know their new album. To reduce a great album to a Gore/Gahan article would be truly unfair (but that's my bad, I'm a big big DM fan). And, I can admit, they do have a much powerful and cooler bass on their recording.

Alkimia is a short and powerful record, dark and mystic, that can keep your attention with its variety of sounds and good quality song-writing. Take a listen to them, I'm sure you'll enjoy. Personal favourites are "Into The Wild", "This Is Us" and "For The Young".

Also, the video for "This Is Us" is beautiful.