STARVOX WEB ZINE
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Reviewed by Kirin

A mesmerising combination of Nicole Blackman-type spoken incantations, This Mortal Coil-like whispered furies, and the technical brilliance and heresy of Doubting Thomas and Leaether Strip. A CD like this could easily fall into a treacherous world of overly-sugared vocals and oversimplified philosamplical meanderings, but not so with Drumatic. The female vocals never reach the place beyond elegance which becomes insipidness, and the music slithers gracefully and tauntingly around the vocals in a way so provocative as to be downright lascivious. Furthermore, may the gods bless Betsy Martin for the moments she sounds deliciously like Chrissie Amphlett. (You know, the DiVinyls...) The lyrics are beautiful both as intonations, and as thought processes- a rarity, and a phenomenon to be treasured. Some tracks on this CD, such as "Blister," and "Endorphin's Ache," are seriously, frighteningly beautiful. This is definitely "Best-heard-in-the-dark-with-many-candles-burning" music. I'm not sure it's actually possible to recommend this CD highly enough, without grabbing you by your collar and begging you to go find it. Unless, of course, you're the type that responds better to commands. Let me just put it to you like this. Now that I've heard this music, I can't imagine life without it.

DIGITAL INTERSECT MAGAZINE
Number 3, December 1998
DRUMATIC-Reactions

Drumatic is the work of percussionist Kevin Pinnt and synth-orchestrator Jack Atlantis. The pair, who have previously released an album titled Various Drumatic Experiences on the Fluxus Records label, make their debut on Tone Casualties with an eleven track, full length recording consisting of new studio material and live recordings.

As if you couldn't have guessed by the name of the band, Drumatic's music consists primarily of live and electronic drums supplemented by Atlantis' sound manipulations. Also contributing are guest performers Chris Candelaria adding bass textures, and harp player/percussionist Aaron Schwartz. Vocals are provided for a few tracks by Betsy martin, who appeared on the Various Drumatic Experiences album, along with a temple dance artist named Devora.

I was completely blown away by this nearly flawless performance the first time I put this disc in my CD player and I remain in awe. Pinnt's drumming is superb, capable of excellerating your pulse one moment while Atlantis and co. ease your soul the next. The occasional vocals are exceptional as well, especially on the stunningly beautiful "A Dawn's Dream". There's a definite gothic influence here, a natural assention from Caterwaul for Kevin Pinnt, but Drumatic has safely distanced themselves from that genre. Reactions isn't goth, techno, nor post-industrial, although it has elements in common with all three. There's even a hint of classical, namely on the closing track "Tragique Ouverture". This is intelligent music made by brilliant and extremely gifted musicians.

RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE
July / August 1999 issue
DRUMATIC-Reactions

Drumatic is the brainchild of Kevin Pinnt and Jack Atlantis. Their album features percussion-centered pieces that are darkly ambient and evocative, with sound manipulations, bass textures filling out the huge spaces. The music seems inspired by a kind of technological pessimism, most obviously heard on World Corrode, Endorphin's Ache and Tragique Overture. Drumatic manages a sound that is sad, lyrical and provocative.

NAKED TRUTH MAGAZINE
Issue #10
DRUMATIC-Reactions

Drumatic also hail from the West Coast of the USA and feature Kevin Pinnt (drums and melodies) ature Chris Candelaria on bass and Jack Atlantis manipulating the sound. This CD which is an insturmental aural soundscape of ambient drums, programming and futuristic samples. The CD is split into three sections: "Reactions", featuring seven live tracks, and "Otherwise", with two atmospheric studio tracks. My favorite tracks on here are "Whirly Possessions" and "Secret Voodoo", which are brilliant creations. This is a lovely CD to relax to and it is very calming. Sit back and enjoy.

APOCALYPSE MAGAZINE
Issue #4
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Vapurr

REACTIONS is a collection of 11 tracks -- 2 studio, 7 live and 2 more studio. Betsy vocalizes on three --- SECRET VOODOO, A DAWN'S DREAM, and PORTION while temple dance artist Devora chants "WHIRLY POSSESSIONS". The rest of the album is insturmental and the live tracks are just wicked! DRUMATIC --- Kevin Pint (drum programming), Jack Atlantis (sound manipulant) and Chris Candelaria (bass textures) -- Kick butt. Their live insturmentals compare to Skinny Puppy, but that is not to say they sound at all like daPUP... there are no Ogerisms here, but the battery of percussively sonic programming, all the trippy samples and spontaneous approach to the attack on tunes like "EARTH IS HEAVEN", "WORLD CORRODE", "ENDORPHIN'S ACHE" and "AFTER THE CRUNCH" can be compared to nothing else. "BLISTER" and "PORTION" are two tracks none of you should do without. This stuff is too impressive and with all the "industrial" drums trampling about, they find room in the mix for live harp and hand percussion! It's awesome! DRUMATIC RULE! See ya...

DRUMATIC live at the Martini Lounge in Hollywood, CA. 1.15.99
Review by Liz Ohanesian

Tone Casualties recording artists Drumatic, provided an intimate set at the Martini Lounge. The band took the stage with an introduction piece while a woman swathed in white netting interpreted the primarily insturmental soundtrack through dance. While such an addition to the onstage cast could be construed as pretentious, the dance element really worked in Drumatic's favor. Musically, the set showcased some of the most interesting industrial music present today. Drumatic's rhythm section kept a steady primal dance groove throughout the set, while the electronic aspect added just enough texture to enhance the music while not letting it stray into the sterile terrain of modern industrial music. Drumatic was joined by Betsy martin (of Purr Machine and Caterwaul) for one track. Her vocal styling added another amazing layer to Drumatic's music --- beautiful, yet just eerie enough to stand out amongst the crop of females lending their voices to electronic music.

SONIC BOOM WEB SITE
DRUMATIC-Reactions

Drumatic breaks the eleven track album into three sections. The first is titled "Reactions" and contains spoken word selections over thickly arranged electronics and percussion. The second "Live" section of this record performed at Lumpy Gravy in Los Angeles on May 27, 1997 makes up the core of the album. Audience interaction plays a large role alongside the blistering drums and odd percussion that portray the band as the electronic equivalent of a modern drum circle. I guess that explains why the band chose Drumatic as their name. The final section of the album labeled "Otherwise", consists of atmospheric pieces with sparse percussions and minimal electronic filler. The best compositions on "Reactions" are the live sections which translate so well onto the CD medium as to make the audience feel a part of the performance. Truly a well produced and well arranged release.

D.L.K. THE HELL KEY
Issue #6, Feb. 1999
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Marc Urselli-Scharer

Drumatic is my favourite 1998 Tone Casualties release. It is the joint venture of Kevin Pinnt (formerly percussionist of LA based acclaimed electronic band Caterwaul) and Jack Atlantis (renowned LA indie rock producer/musician/remixer), with the technical help of a couple of other musicians. Given the previous engagements of the two foresaid members they use to file REACTIONS under "electronic/rock". Actually there are some heavy guitar samples and the rhythmical structures are a mesh of programmed and performed drums, yet I wouldn't file it under rock anyway. It is a truly excellent dark orchestration with ambient sounds which yet loose their trance-inducing-relaxing-whatsoever character to smooth and refine beautiful and haunting industrial compositions enriched by a female vocalist and live temple dance artist. The sporadic guitar samplings make it even more exciting and wide in dynamics and emotional range to me. The disc features 7 enchanting live tracks and 4 studio works, and I'd state that it's worthy of your money indeed! If I wasn't clear enough to get it immdediately!

DIGITAL ARTIFACT MAGAZINE
Number 11, Spring 1999
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Art

Drumatic's Reactions confronts the listener with a dark display of ambient electronics, headed by angelic vocals and twisting rhythms filling in between the gaps where light cannot creep in.

With a run time of 61 minutes among 11 tracks, the collective of Kevin Pinnt, Jack Atlantis, Chris Candelaria and guest vocalists Betsy martin, Devora, and Aaron Schwartz delve into ambient-industrial darkness with such percussion driven tracks like "Secret Voodoo" and live tracks such as "Earth As In Heaven", "Endorphin's Ache" and "Blister".

Drumatic effectively moves in directions of percussion programming that Pigface hasn't, creating a blissful ambient textured industrialism that appeals to the senses and ears rather than destroying the audience with overwhelming sounds.

FAQT MAGAZINE
Vol.3 No. 1, 1999
DRUMATIC-Reactons
Haiku review

much more than mere goth
ethereal, percussive
a pristine live sound

DAMN! MAGAZINE
Number 16, March 1999
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Jester

Drumatic breaks the eleven track album into three sections. The first is titled "Reactions" and contains spoken word selections over thickly arranged electronics and percussion. The second "Live" section of this record, performed at Lumpy Gravy in LA, May 97, makes up the core of the album. Audience interaction plays a role alongside the blistering drums and odd percussion. The final section of the album labeled "Otherwise" consists of atmospheric pieces with sparse percussions and minimal electronic filler. The best compositions on Reactions are the live sections which translate so well and makes the audience feel a part of the performance. Truley a well produced and well arranged release.

Atlanta Press October 23-29, 1998
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Mitchell Foy

Out now on the always engaging Tone Casualties label is "Reactions" by electronic/industrial unit Drumatic. The disc is firmly rooted in the clean, beat-oriented "semi-old school" industrial scene which join hands with the likes of Front Line Assembly et al. While, as the name implies, the emphasis is on percussion, the beats aren't crammed down your throat like a hyper disco machine. Instead, Drumatic uses both programmed and organic percussion along with synthesizers, samples, and occasional female vocals to create an atmosphere that never gets too aggresive but still cuts through the air like visions of worlds beyond. "Reactions" is actually seven live tracks (most of which are performances of material from their previous disc) sandwiched by four studio tracks. Drumatic are either serene and beautiful as on "Secret Voodoo", where the synth and fem vox blend dreamily together, or hissingly textural and thumping, as on "Portion" and "Earth As In Heaven" (both live) where they most resemble pioneers Bourbonese Qualk.

Voltage Magazine, January 1999
DRUMATIC-Reactions

Drummer Kevin Pinnt and noise-maker Jack Atlantis are one of the more visionary duos in the dark experimental crowd. Reactions starts off with two Apocalyptic tracks featuring vocals by Devora and Caterwaul vocalist Betsy Martin, then moves into a hypnotic 7-track live set before drowning into two breathtaking insturmentals (I especially like the samples of Stephen Hawkings on "Eternal Motion".) Martin's performance on "A Dawn's Dream" is gorgeous and reminds me of the epiphany I felt the first time I heard Dead Can Dance. Pinnt's exotic and tribal rhythms drive the subterranean programming and mysterious female vox, but by the end of "Tragique Ouverture" all you hear is the sound of your own slowing heartbeat.

Outburn Magazine
DRUMATIC-Reactions
Review by Octavia

Drumatic is back and better than ever. A few of you may remember their beautiful 1995 release "Various Experiences" on Fluxus. Now they're out with another great CD on the groundbreaking Tone Casualties label who specialize in "unconventional sound adventures and daring endeavors in new electronic music". Drumatic is about drums and their beauty, and their dark ambient orchestrations of industrial dirges are swirling and hypnotic, rich and varied. The music of "Reactions" is broken up into 3 parts: Reactions, which features 2 new songs with vocals; Live, which is mostly material from "Various Experiences" performed live at Lumpy Gravy in May of '97; and otherwise, which consists of more experimental soundscapes. DJ Brian Albers of KXLU recorded the live performance at Lumpy Gravy and gave me a tape of it last year. I was very excited to hear that such a fine label had taken notice of Drumatic and decided to release their stunning live material. Drumatic's primarily insturmental songs are highlighted by the track "Whirly Possessions" with vocalist and live temple dance artist Devora, whose spoken vocals sound a bit like Eva O. I only wish there was more of her vocals in their music (3 other tracks feature the angelic voice of Betsy Martin). If you're up for some phenomenal experimental ethereal music then go check out Drumatic.