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REVIEWS
Gothic Beauty Magazine
From Nilaihah, the best name in synthpop, comes this hyperactive Euro-electro group.
Characterized by repetition, their album is a dance party with heart. The emotive
sincerity of the words doesn't quite reach down into the enhanced vocals or the
techno-charged music, though both have a certain urgency, and the cynicism in the
title track is supported by its relentless beats. The latter half of the album is
remixes, mainly of the opening track "Give Me a Reason", which is given a punch of
power by Assemblage 23 and a deeper groove by Namnambulu. By the time
"Victory of the Heart" comes up, you'll already be up and dancing.
Carolee @ Gothic Beauty Magazine
ReGen Magazine
These days, it is becomingly increasingly difficult to classify
any type of electronic-based music into any one genre. More and more
bands and artists are combining elements of varying styles to the point
where new names have to be created, all of which ultimately become
obsolete in a relatively short time. Futurepop was basically EBM
combined with synthpop and trance; industrial became part of futurepop
simply due to its connection to EBM. So when a band like Endanger comes
along with enough heavy electro and stomping industrial beats that it
could be EBM, but also with such a strong melodic and lyrical presence
to ground it into synthpop, assigning a name to the style becomes quite
a dilemma. Be that as it may, Endanger's Addicted to the Masses
does contain some enticing melodies and some damn good lyrics.
The music of Endanger is somewhat reminiscent of other German
electro acts that employ a similar formula, particularly Wolfsheim. The
combination of good catchy hooks and emotional lyrics is nothing new,
but it does require a certain level of intelligence to pull it off in
such a way that it does not become boring... and Addicted to the Masses
is very far from boring. With Rouven Walterowicz's deep vocals
delivering lines like "We walk on thousand different lines / you
crossed them all - left me behind / and not I don't know where to
start," from "Velvet Heart," one gets the impression that these songs
of emotions and relationships, though familiar, are being sung with
more heart than most others who sing of such subjects. Even the album's
title song gives an indictment of the unoriginality running rampant in
the scene; "As a cover of a magazine / you look fantastic, that's all
you mean / you tell your stories to those who think that you're someone
special, but I know you ain't." The lyrics and vocals aren't the only
star here. Marc Pollman's arrangements are not only densely layered,
but also very concise so that no song lasts longer than is absolutely
necessary. These songs do not drag on, and in the end they leave you
wanting more. Also noteworthy is the presence of guitar, not in the
forefront but mixed in with the electronics to provide a heavy sense of
texture that emphasizes both the beats and the melodies.
Addicted to the Masses is an album of good EBM-infused
electro-pop. It's perfect for the dancefloor, but it holds its own as a
good work of music as well. The hooks are simple but infectious; it
evokes the same sort of feeling people felt when Depeche Mode first
came around. Of course, with an album title similar to one of Depeche
Mode's most famous works, it could be easy to accuse Endanger of being
yet another rip-off band. This is far from the truth; comparisons
aside, Endanger hold their own to distinguish themselves from other
bands in the genre and have a sound and style all their own.
Ilker81x @ ReGen Magazine
Hypnobeat Records
"In early 1998 Rouven Walterowicz (vocals) and Marc Pollmann (
sounds and arrangments ) founded the electro-pop duo Endanger.
Both are no musical novices as you can tell from the crafty and
well-shaped songs they present. A brilliant combination of hypnotic
and enchanting vocals and complex compositions that produce a special
kind of magic, but somehow beautiful electro-pop tunes with an edge
and a distinctive character." - Hypnobeat Records
Humpty Records
It is powerfull with stompin' beats which remind a
little bit of Funker Vogt or even Covenant. Ladies and gentleman
a new "star" is born, breaking the barriers! - Humpty Records
Connexion Bizzare
Extremely catchy beats and melodies, definitely danceable and
having an overall uplifting effect. The vocal aspect is also worthy
of note, as singer Rouven Walterowicz's vocals are impeccable, being
responsible for a great deal of the moods of the songs and not just
a complement to the music. - Connexion Bizarre
Motorcity Goths
Endanger started in 1998 as an elektro-pop band, with Rouven Walterowicz
lending his vocal talents to Marc Pollman's music. Their debut album,
Motion (2000), and their sophomore release Eternalizer (2002) made
waves within the synthpop scene. Especially the wonderful vocal
performance by Mr. Walterowicz made Endanger's music truly shine,
and Rouven actually was chosen to vocalise Lights of Euphoria's
smash single "True Life". In fact, Motion was re-released as Motion:Reloaded
in 2003 on Germany's Infacted Recordings. So, what comes next?
2004 brings us Endanger's third studio-album, Addicted to the Masses,
and boy is it addicting. From the very start, it will get you bouncing
around the room. However, the lyrics are so well written, and the
vocals so soothing and charming, and the music so flowing and gentle,
that it makes for a good home-listening experience as well. The
gents play around with several ideas on Addicted to the Masses,
such as fusing disco with trance/future-pop stylings in "Spark (Discofashion
Mix)", taking some elements from the more popular Neuroticfish songs
and adding their own style such as is the case with "Give Me a Reason",
and even tipping their hats a bit to Alphaville with "Victory of
the Heart"! I honestly thought that was an Alphaville cover when
I first heard it. Still, it's good.
As if ten tracks of pure aural bliss weren't enough, Mssrs. Pollmann
and Walterowicz have been good enough to include a few more remixes
of "Give Me a Reason", done by the likes of Assemblage 23, Namnambulu,
Hecq and Massiv in Mensch, and a very good club mix done by Endanger
themselves. Not a single remix falls below the "good" mark, and
each outside artist makes their remix sound different from the others,
and from the original as well.
I can't recommend this album enough. I do believe you will be hearing
some of the songs on Addicted to the Masses in your local industrial/elektro
clubs in due course. Although Endanger's home label is the German-based
Infacted Recordings, Nilaihah Records is handling the distribution
in North America, so you don't have to pay import costs. No matter
-- If you like synthpop or what's called "future-pop" these days,
get this! - MotorcityGoths
Side-Line Magazine (Checklist)
Too commercial and too soft for my ears, the music from Endanger is some kind of
a sweet technopop that leaves me quite indifferent. The quality of their music is
undeniable, and this album might find its place and recognition among the fans of
this genre. If you dig what the label A Different Drum signs, then Endanger is
an unavoidable band. Otherwise just avoid it.
Benoit Blanchart
While Endanger have more than one catchy and attention-grabbing hit ingredient to
make it, I have this feeling they would have better chances if they were to go
for the mainstream charts. Why? Because if I hear this music eyes closed and
imagine listening to one of the popular charts, I hear no difference with the
electro fluffy pop being played in there. Good stuff for in the car, less good for
listening at home I fear...
Bernard Van Isacker
I really guess that the German electro-pop duo wants to touch the majority of the
club addicts with a resolutely commercial sound. Actually, most of the tracks
are dance-floor oriented songs without a... soul and this kind of emotional depth
is essential in all respectable good pop opus. However, let's note that the
production is really efficient for this kind of release. Too soft for me...
Cedric Wattergniaux
This third album from this electro-pop project delivers us more than an honest
work blending modern electro, dancefloors tunes and more 80's influenced tracks
like the New Order-inspired "Spark", the pop side provided mostly by the vocals
while musically, it oscillates between trance and future pop. Pleasant and accessible,
this album will please all the electro-pop fans.
Patrick Falque
The new album of Endanger is definitely pure synth-pop, moving in between the classical
standards and patterns of the genre and heavier danceable forms a la Syrian. I
personally go for the heavier and club-orientated side with tracks like "Give Me a Reason".
"Like Heaven", "Addicted to the Masses", and "Victory of the Heart". This is my
favorite Endanger release in history!
Stephane Froidcoeur
all for Side-Line Magazine
Side-Line Magazine
Endanger is one of those projects who never totally convinced me. Their new album maybe
isn't the long-awaited 'redemption' although it is their best opus to date! They now
seem to explore 2 sides of synth-pop, starting with a powerful and danceable side,
which comes pretty close to Syrian. There's a similar techno-influenced approach
in the carrying tunes of songs like "Give me a reason", "Like Heaven", "Addicted to the Masses",
and "Victory of the heart". Even if these songs are pretty similar, they sound like
the right club food! The next side is a bit softer although driven by pure club kicks.
I here appreciate tracks like "I count on you", "I come undone" and "Spürst Du's Nicht".
Track 11 sounds like a funny threshold, the place where you're moving from the regular
album to the antechamber of remixes. This isn't exactly a song, but kind of an
intermezzo entitled, "Enter the Remix-zone". We next get a cool "Clubmix" of
"Give me a reason" and 4 remixes of the same song. The 'remixers' are real interesting
artists. So we get one of the absolute masters of futurepop aka Assemblage 23, which
did an excellent job. I still like the mix of Hecq, which is more experimental, but it
shows an interesting transposition in sound and style. Massiv in Mensch remains a
great remix-band, but they here go a little bit over the top, like losing themselves
in a childish play. The NamNamBulu remix can't convince me, but it all brings an
intersting variety of ideas... just like the entire album!
Stephane Froidcoeur
for Side-Line Magazine
A Different Drum
With each album, Endanger becomes
more and more polished, the vocals improve, and the music becomes more
exciting. This new album is a top-notch release by the German act, with a
whopping 7 bonus remixes added on, to make a 16-track CD. Mixes are
contributed by Assemblage 23, NamNamBulu, and Massiv in Mensch, and that
should help show you the club-appeal of this CD. The songs are catchy,
exciting, and fit right in with a lot of the other synthpop releases out of
Germany this year, like NamNamBulu, A Spell Inside, and even has moments
sounding like the popular band T.O.Y. or futurepop kinds Covenant.
-- A Different Drum
Gothic Paradise
After not having the previous album Eternalizer released in the USA, it was a
great surprise to hear of this release on Nilaihah Records.
Of course for those on the other side of the ocean, it is still readily available.
The music is fantastic and builds so much on the previous works.
Each catchy track takes the listener from one fast-paced dance-friendly track to another.
There is enough variety in the tone, tempo and pace that it keeps the listener interested.
But overall, from the first smooth vocals of "Give Me A Reason" to the final beat of
"Bist Du Bereit?!" each deep accented vocal, each synth loop or driving beat holds the
listener enthralled. Club friendly tracks? Take your pick, they're all perfect, fun,
meaningful, full of emotion and captivating. Want some variety? Throw on "I Count On You"
for a mid-tempo ballad-like emotional song. "Give Me A Reason" has quickly become a
favorite and it's extremely difficult to pick one out of all of the excellent tracks.
Because I'm an Alphaville fan, I found that "Victory of the Heart" was very
familiar in musical style and lyrical content. The bottom line comes down to the quality
and crisp, un-distorted and catchy nature of the music.
Besides the great original selections on this album, included as a bonus are six tracks
from what would be the Give Me A Reason maxi-CD. And you can't forget the fun
intro to "Enter the Remix Zone". Remixes include a pounding "club mix" which adds a bit
of a techno touch to it, or the "Assemblage 23" mix which is a nice touch from this
popular remixer and artist. The real variety happens with the "Pestillanz Mix"
by Massiv in Mensch or the "Hecq Remiqs" with even more of an experimental touch.
This is definitely a synthpop gem that fans won't want to miss. Be sure to pick it up!
Rating: 4.5/5
Gothic Paradise
Yet Another Electro Webzine
"Endanger" are back, back with a bang, presenting their third studio album and yes, it's by far
their strongest work to date. "Endanger" have often been compared to bands such as Covenant,
Assemblage 23 or evene Camouflage, presenting a fresh wave of modern, catchy electropop
tunes.
"Addicted to the masses" is their next step to the top of the international electronic
scene, combining moody grooves and catchy hooklines including club hits such as
"give me a reason", "addicted to the masses", "victory of the heart" or "I count on you".
As a bonus the CD features the full 6 track MCD of "Give me a reason" including mixes
by Assemblage 23, NamNamBulu, Massiv in Menach and Hecq.
Yet Another Electro Webzine
Synthpop.net
This is the third album for Endanger, following the debut "Motion"
and "Eternalizer", and also this marks the second domestic release for the band,
as this edition of the album is the special Licensed North American version
released by Nilaihah Records. Rouven Walterowicz and Marc Pollmann, the two
members of the band, have obviously matured their sound a great deal since the
first album was released. I almost have a hard time believing that this is the
same band, since this album is so much more textured, so much more moving...
It's like it's a totally different band, just about.
From the first track, "Give Me A Reason", I find myself immediately hooked
into this album. The vocals are very solid, and the music is not only very
danceable, but also very catchy. Also, the songwriting is much improved, with
the songs (at least those that I could understand, the German ones exceed my
limited knowledge of German by far) having a strong emotional message behind
each of them. It's a hard task to point out the highlight songs here, as the
quality was so consistently high throughout the album, but "I Count On You",
"Velvet Heart" and "Victory Of The Heart" were all songs I found myself going
back to over and over again (besides "Give Me A Reason", that is).
The remix selection added to the end of the disc is also, somewhat
surprisingly, pretty high quality throughout. I guess I've seen too many albums
with 6-7 remixes tacked onto the end where only 2-3 were really of any quality,
but that's happily not true here. Both the club mix and Assemblage 23's mix are
well-suited for club play, while leaving a lot of the original song intact. The
remix of "Mein Stern", from the "Eternalizer" album, is a nice bit of variation
from the otherwise dominance of GMAR remixes. The remaining remixes were all
impressive as well, but the closing remix was also quite.. unusual.
Anyway, this is a extremely good album, and well worth your purchase! Highly
Recommended!
Jason Baker @ Synthpop.net
Neurozine
Endanger is back with their latest installation Addicted To The Masses. This
new full-length album, after the re-release of their debut album
Motion:Reloaded, includes a total of sixteen tracks and almost 70 minutes of
pure electropop.
This talented duo, that consists of frontman Rouven Walterowicz and Marc
Pollmann, delivers high quality electropop when it is at its best. Addicted
To The Masses includes many nice and good songs, from cool ballads to more
dance-catchy songs with a little more tempo. This combination of wonderful
song and soft melodies makes this album really good.
An album to recommend if you like artists such as Namnambulu, Assemblage 23,
Colony 5 and Plastic. At the same time (included) you got five remixes of
the opening "Give Me A Reason".
Björn Andersson @ Neurozine
back to Endanger - Addicted to the Masses
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Wrapped in Wire
Endanger is a German EBM/Synth-pop band that sounds similar to Beborn Beton,
Covenant and Neuroactive. If you like any of those bands, you will most likely
enjoy the music of Endanger as well. What you get on this CD are clean electronic
songs with untreated deep accented male vocals. Some tracks are energetic EBM
for the dance floor with relentless rhythms and beats, while others are slower
paced with a lot of drama and melody. Both styles are just as good as each other
and add a lot of variety to the CD. While this band isn't really doing anything
new or different, they do indeed make some extremely quality music. The vocals
are especially good. The singer has a great voice and sings very well. A lot of
the songs are catchy and will probably have you singing along to them. There's
not a bad song to be found here. Everything will hold your interest and make you
want to listen to them quite often. There are a few short instrumentals mixed in
with the actual full-length playing songs that seem a little out of place. But
they're so short that they almost seem like intros or endings to songs instead
of like different tracks. For the most part this band reminds me a lot of Beborn
Beton, but with a slightly harder EBM edge. If you enjoy clean European EBM/Synth-pop
music, you will definitely want this CD.
Wrapped in Wire
Amazon.com
If industrial-dance music initially found its audience among Depeche Mode fans
looking for something a little harder, Endanger might find their fan base among
industrial-dance listeners looking for something a little... lighter. However,
like Sweden's Covenant and Britain's VNV Nation, Endanger prove themselves so adept
at infusing melody and hooks into their fast-moving calculus of beats and bass
synth, even the most jaded rivetheads are bound to hear something that will prick
up their ears. The duo of Rouven Walterowicz and Marc Pollmann balance their
debut disc nicely, serving up driving electro anthems ("Inside," "In Silence")
tempered with slower, epic, almost ballad-like compositions ("A Story Of," "Silkskin")
and short, introspective instrumentals. A U.S. edition of an album released in
Germany in 1999, this version of Motion adds three extra tracks--two remixes and
one new song, "Lord."
-- Steve Landau @ Amazon.com
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