ALBUM REVIEW: AUTODAFEH - "Greed" (Scanner)

Release date: March 28, 2025

Influences: EBM, Dark Electro, Electro-industrial

I have to say, it’s genuinely satisfying to see Autodafeh return with a new album. A whole decade has passed since they released their last longplayer, Digital Citizens — and Greed clearly signals that this Swedish act remains full of intent, creative energy, and a deep connection to the foundations of the genre. It's not an attempt to radically redefine their sound at all, but nor does it need to. What it does instead is reaffirm their position as a solid and reliable force within the EBM scene — confident, focused, and clearly still enjoying what they do.

As soon as the opening track “One Step Forward” kicks in, it’s evident that this is classic Autodafeh: gritty, relentless, and made for movement. The pounding beats and snarling synths are right where they should be, but there’s also a certain refinement in how it’s all put together. The band’s trademark sound is intact, but sharpened — more deliberate, more mature. It’s confident without feeling complacent.

The influences from the well known Belgian inventors of the genre and a certain electro-industrial Canadian act are of course easy to spot this time around as well — but I don’t think they're trying to shy away from that. On the contrary, it feels like something they embrace with a sense of respect and identity. And after all these years, they’ve developed their own voice within that legacy. They might not be trying to outdo anyone, but they consistently position themselves above the average in terms of both production and songwriting.

To be fair the main concept is indeed repeated a few times across the twelve tracks on offer here. But with that said, they still manage to squeeze in a few creations that escape from the overall formula. The atmospheric and dark bass driven “Whispers in the Dark” is a great example. It some what manages to crawl under my skin with a sense of mysticism with a few unexpected elements cutting through the mix. “Under the Blood Red Sky” is another track worth to highlight. It starts with restraint, slowly unfolding into something intense and layered. There’s depth here, and a sense of direction — not just sound for sound’s sake. It’s one of those punchy and in a way techno body music-inspired cuts that makes you want to come back and listen again.

Another aspect I think deserves credit is the lyrics. In a genre where it’s far too common to just throw together cool-sounding but ultimately empty phrases, they actually put effort into what they’re saying. The lyrics aren’t overly cryptic, but they’re far from shallow. The title track and several others take aim at themes like greed, corruption, and human darkness — without being preachy or forced. There’s room for interpretation, which adds to the experience.

Melody is also an important part of this album. Beneath the raw surface, there’s always something more melodic pulling you in — whether it’s a harmonic synth line or just the way a track builds over time. It helps give the album some emotional texture, which makes it stand out from more one-dimensional releases in the genre. Yes, some moments might feel familiar if you’ve followed the band before, but instead of sounding repetitive, it provides a sense of cohesion. This is Autodafeh doing what they do best — staying true to their sound while still pushing themselves forward in small but meaningful ways.

Greed might not shake up the scene, but that’s not the point. It’s a strong, sincere album from a band that clearly still cares — about their music, their message, and their identity. And in a genre where too many acts seem to settle for mediocrity, Autodafeh continue to deliver with purpose. I'm genuinely glad they’re back — and sounding this committed. (Jens Atterstrand)

Greed comes digitally and in a limited CD edition.

Support your scene and buy this album here.