Band:	Jenx
Album:	Enuma Elish
Style:	Industrial metal
Release date:	May 11, 2012
A review by:	Darkside Momo

01. The Flood
02. Burning Pride
03. Chains Of Labor
04. RFID
05. Nibiru
06. Enuma Elish
07. The Loss
08. Blood Obsession
09. The Ordeal
10. Sycamore Part I
11. Sycamore Part II

Not really a new band, French industrial metallers Jenx only released their second album in 2012. And this Enuma Elish shows that they have matured a lot, really, since the days of the Unusual EP...

Quite reminiscent of early Oomph! - you know, when they were still metal - and maybe some Nine Inch Nails too, Jenx do have their own flavor and personality nonetheless. They have great riffs ("Burning Pride", "Chains Of Labor"...) enhanced by electro glitches and, most of all, by that seriouly pounding, groovy, almost tribal at times, drumming - definitely a highlight of theirs.

For sure Enuma Elish starts mightily fine, with a string of fast, catchy, groovy songs ("The Flood" is excellent, as are the already mentioned "Burning Pride"and "Chains Of Labor") which surely broke some necks already, culminating with "Nibiru". Sadly, the album's second half somehow overstays its welcome. After all those bloody damn perfectly aggressive tunes, "Sycamore Part I", "Blood Obsession" and "The Ordeal", while not bad at all, do tend to feel a bit long ("The Loss", however, is another great number). Then, way to finish on a sour note, because "Sycamore Part II" is quite an "Hallway Of Always" copycat. Or, at least, let's say Ulver's influence is obvious.

Oh, I mentioned it already. "Nibiru". That song is the true highlight of Enuma Elish. It is just bloody damn awesome, hypnotic and neck-breakingly addictive with its really dark entrancing atmosphere. Jenx's mastery of atmosphere is perfect here, and it shows they worked on the "Call Of Chthulu" movie (they played the soundtrack live during the film's projection in a few cinemas in France). A must-listen, no less.

Enuma Elish, despite some minor flaws, is good; it's bloody damn catchy, groovy and heavy, so why resist? Take the plunge! Highly recommended!