Every once in awhile, an act comes along and manages to do what many thought impossible--it successfully crosses several of electronic music's many subgenres. Mephisto Odyssey is one of those. The San Francisco electronic ... more »music collective sprung from Mephisto mastermind Mikael Johnston's guitar-rock frustration. "I prayed for an answer as to what to do with myself with the threat that I was going to quit music if I didn't get an answer," Johnston says of the inspiration for Mephisto. "That night I had a dream and a voice told me to 'buy a computer.'" Thanks to this bit of divine intervention, Johnston bought a computer and learned about MIDI, and then Mephisto Odyssey was born. A newcomer to the world of electronic music, Johnston was free from the constraints of outdated modes of thinking--namely, that one must pick a style and religiously stick to it. The Deep Red Connection, Mephisto's debut release, jumps from gangsta rap to sultry house to ethereal techno (thanks to otherworldly former Gus Gus vocalist, Hafdis Huld) without missing a beat. And that's not all. Johnston answers to the beat-driven rock that's so popular among kids these days with "Crash," an aggressive number featuring Static-X vocalists Wayne Static and Koichi Fukuda. So, while Mephisto Odyssey has--to borrow a hackneyed phrase--something for everyone, it's not at the expense of the attention of the solitary listener. Deep Red is a defiantly wonderful must-have for all devotees of electronic music. --Courtney Reimer« less
Every once in awhile, an act comes along and manages to do what many thought impossible--it successfully crosses several of electronic music's many subgenres. Mephisto Odyssey is one of those. The San Francisco electronic music collective sprung from Mephisto mastermind Mikael Johnston's guitar-rock frustration. "I prayed for an answer as to what to do with myself with the threat that I was going to quit music if I didn't get an answer," Johnston says of the inspiration for Mephisto. "That night I had a dream and a voice told me to 'buy a computer.'" Thanks to this bit of divine intervention, Johnston bought a computer and learned about MIDI, and then Mephisto Odyssey was born. A newcomer to the world of electronic music, Johnston was free from the constraints of outdated modes of thinking--namely, that one must pick a style and religiously stick to it. The Deep Red Connection, Mephisto's debut release, jumps from gangsta rap to sultry house to ethereal techno (thanks to otherworldly former Gus Gus vocalist, Hafdis Huld) without missing a beat. And that's not all. Johnston answers to the beat-driven rock that's so popular among kids these days with "Crash," an aggressive number featuring Static-X vocalists Wayne Static and Koichi Fukuda. So, while Mephisto Odyssey has--to borrow a hackneyed phrase--something for everyone, it's not at the expense of the attention of the solitary listener. Deep Red is a defiantly wonderful must-have for all devotees of electronic music. --Courtney Reimer
CD Reviews
And you thought Mozart was brilliant?!?!
Tricky | Napa County, California | 09/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"After listening to the Deep Red Connection, it's difficult to find any words that could possibly do justice for the musical genius of Mephisto Oddyssey and their first major album. My favorite tracks are "Crash", which is by far the best blend of electronic and new metal I've heard in my life and is sure to give a new stand to the genre of electronic music if not to create it's entirely new style. "Reach"? My God I could just drown into this girl!!! Take away her voice and you find talent that is brilliant and esoteric, Mephisto will be hard-pressed to find anything but ecstatic fans...the vocals added to this is just like Cloud Nine only higher. Wayne of Static-X, Angel Cat, Mad Lion, Jamalski are a few of the guest vocalist on this album that create a shining mix of musical talent and style that makes the Deep Red Connection an instant favorite of anyone regardess of what section of the CD store they usually shop from. Unfortunately I'm only allowed 1,000 words here, but from track 1, "Some Kinda Freak" to the last track, 13 "Wish", this album is by far the best I've heard in so long and it just shines the genius behind this soon to be blockbuster sized masterpiece infecting the airwaves!!"
More Classic San Francisco Underground Primal Beats!
Douglas Hall | Livermore, CA United States | 08/16/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"WOW! When I first heard this entire album, I was nothing short of inspired! I have followed the band through early releases (see earlier review) , Jane's Addiction remixes, and was not disappointed by the new album. Do you like the new trend in albums with a common theme showcasing many different vocalists and styles like Santana's multi-platinum Supernatural, but appreciate dance music also? This major label (Warner Bros.) debut out of Black Dahlia Studios in Oakland, CA is exactly what the dance world needs! THE DEEP RED CONNECTION (after Dario Argento's 1975 Profondo Rosso) will blow your mind out of your skull! Let's go through the songs... "Some Kinda Freak" with its Ganja & Hess (1972 undead classic) sample and great sax work opens the album with an explosion, followed by the pumped-up "I'm The Man" with rousing vocals by East Bay rapper Hanibal Now (f.k.a. Bigg Sauce). There's the interlude "Krak", the driving dance track "Sexy Dancer", followed by one of my favorites, the moving "I Breathe You" with vocals by Hafdis Huld (4AD's Gus Gus, Angelcat). Then, we jump back into high energy with "Jump" and "Killah", both with vocals from the multi-talented freesylist Jamalski (KRS-1, Deee-lite, Brand New Heavies, etc.). Following those we propell forward with the title track "Soundman Connection" with dancehall-inspired vocals by Mad Lion (KRS-1, Shabba Ranks, Queen Latifah, Salt n Pepper, etc.). There's another short instrumental "Track 909" (Beatles tribute?) before we are thrusted into the smash single "Crash", with guitars and vocals provided by good friends and Ozzfest thrashers Static-X. This song brings it all together and I guarantee you will play this song loud and often (look for the batman-inspired video featuring both bands together in the batcave)! The next song is "Reach" with vocals (again) by Hafdis Huld a.k.a. Angelcat, followed by the instrumental "Red Drums" (love the guitar riffs), which is already played on the floors at underground clubs in S.F. The album closes with the haunting and memorable "Wish" with moving strings and rhodes piano by the band, featuring vocals by Paula Frazer (4AD's Tarnation). This last song is another personal favorite and the best end to a dance-oriented album I have ever heard. All that said, what are still doing reading this review? Order THE DEEP RED CONNECTION off Amazon.com right now! Mikael, Orpheos, Barrie and Josh of Mephisto Odyssey have finally done dance music of the new millenium justice. I highly recommend it."
Perfect cruisin music!!! :D
Douglas Hall | 02/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been listening to dance/techno for several
years, (since the late 80's), and I must say that
"The Deep Red Connection" is one of the best compilations
of dance/techno/rap mixes that I've heard in a looooong time.
Every track on the cd is brilliantly executed, and never
has you searching for the "skip" button on the cd changer.
In fact, I use this cd as my main "cruise" music in
my truck, and this is the cd that stereo manufacturers
were thinking of when they decided to place the "repeat"
button on cd players :D. Mephisto Odyssey's "The Deep
Red Connection" is the type of music that you can listen to
over and over again, and I swear it gets funkier with each
listening. My personal faves are "Some Kinda Freak" and
"Jump" which ironically...are featured on the Xbox video
game "Mad Dash Racing" Those two tracks alone were worth
the cost of the cd :D, and the fact that the entire disc
just plain rocks is a bonus!!! If you are looking for
a cd that contains a little of everything:...techno, rap,
electronica, trance..this is the one to get :D Jamalski's
lyrics on "Jump" are some of the most refreshing raggae
sounds I've heard this side of Shaggy and Bob Marley :D
And as I've said before...this is perfect cruisin music....
just pop it in, and let the bass thump you out of your seat!!!
:D ....Highly reccomended!!!"
Phat Beatz!!!
Michael Jenkins | Miami, FL | 09/14/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yo check it out I bought this CD cuz I dig techno and house music and I love Drum 'n Bass and Jamalski. All I can say is this cd takes you on a ride through so many styles that it just makes you wanna sit back and smoke a phatty and go on a trip or bump it in your car loud. If you like Prodigy, Crystal Method, DJ Icey or even Goldie you'll be down with the sound of the underground mephisto style."
True Innovators
Thor Wixom | Provo, Utah United States | 09/12/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In a world of electronic music where most artists have backed themselves into a corner, Mephisto Odyssey dares to venture into new areas of creativity. Deep Red Connection has become one of my favorite albums. It rarely leaves my 6 disc changer in my car (and even then it only leaves my changer so it can come inside with me and be played on my home theater system or on my computer).If you like intelligent music that isn't afraid to break new ground, you'll love Deep Red Connection."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
