Released in 1984, Remission is the definitive starting point for electro-industrial music, blending the dark pop sensibilities of the era with a visceral, mechanical aggression. The EP is anchored by the genre-defining "Smothered Hope," showcasing Nivek Ogre’s distorted, animalistic vocals over Cevin Key’s gritty TR-909 beats and haunting synth layers. While it maintains a "perverted dance" energy that feels more accessible than the band's later, more abstract work, it remains celebrated for its raw, claustrophobic atmosphere and pioneering use of sampling and "brap" soundscapes. Whether heard in its original six-track form or the expanded 1987 reissue, it is a masterclass in tension and electronic innovation that sounds remarkably ahead of its time.
Released in 1984, Remission stands as the definitive blueprint for the electro-industrial genre, marking the moment Skinny Puppy transformed from a side project into a formidable sonic force. At its core, the EP is a visceral collision between the infectious structures of 80s synth-pop and a decaying, mechanical nightmare. While contemporary acts like Depeche Mode were exploring the melodic potential of synthesizers, Nivek Ogre and cEVIN Key used the same tools—most notably the Roland TR-909—to craft a "perverted dance" music that felt both club-ready and profoundly claustrophobic.
The EP’s opening track, "Smothered Hope," remains an undisputed masterpiece and perhaps the most accessible entry point into the band’s discography. It perfectly captures the tension that defines the record: a driving, rhythmic pulse paired with Ogre’s distorted, animalistic vocals and haunting lyrical themes of existential dread. Tracks like "Glass Houses" and "Far Too Frail" further cement this aesthetic, utilizing jagged synth lines and early sampling techniques to create an atmosphere that feels like a transmission from a high-tech wasteland.
Production-wise, Remission is remarkably sophisticated for its era, introducing the band’s signature "brap" aesthetic—a spontaneous, improvisational approach to electronic soundscapes. The layers are dense but purposeful, avoiding the murky over-saturation of some later industrial acts. There is a lean, predatory quality to the original six-track sequencing that ensures the energy never flags, providing a raw intensity that remains more direct and punchy than the sprawling, psychedelic experiments found on later albums like VIVIsectVI.
While later CD reissues expanded the tracklist to include more experimental b-sides, the original EP remains the purest distillation of Skinny Puppy’s early genius. It is a record that sounds both of its time and strangely prophetic, influenced by the burgeoning goth and New Wave scenes but twisted into something far more confrontational. For anyone looking to understand the roots of dark electronic music, Remission isn't just a historical curiosity—it is an essential, high-voltage experience that still carries a sharp, serrated edge.
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