Decoded Feedback burst on to the industrial scene in the mid 1990s with the highly acclaimed self-titled demo tape Decoded Feedback. This creative duo brought together all the elements and contrasts that exist between the sexes, and at the same time using their diverse backgrounds, European and Canadian, to successfully create their own unique sound. This proved to be a powerful combination. After an amazing review in Belgium’s Side-Line magazine, Decoded Feedback was picked up immediately by one of Europe’s leading industrial labels, Hard Records.
1996 marked the year of their first CD release entitled Overdosing. The quality and power of Overdosing opened more doors for Decoded Feedback, capturing the attention of not just the industrial community, but also of Europe's leading electro label, Zoth Ommog, who arranged to release the band's second CD Technophoby in 1997. This CD later came to the attention of America's leading industrial label, Metropolis Records, who soon after became Decoded Feedback’s official North American label. The band’s third CD Bio-Vital was released in 1998 and instantly hit the German Alternative Charts (DAC). Decoded Feedback was also voted one of the best groups on Zoth Ommog. EVOLution marked their fourth release and demonstrated their growth and established position in the electronic community. This CD brought together a perfect mix of Industrial and EBM, pulling you in and enveloping you into the interwoven dance floor textures and symphonic melodies.
In 2000, Decoded Feedback signed to the up and coming German label, Bloodline. Reflect in Silence was Marco and Yone’s first single which was released in Sept 2000 to critical acclaim. The full length CD Mechanical Horizon was released soon after. This CD pulled together all of the elements that had now become the famous Decoded Feedback sound, but added some new touches. More elaborate sequences, less distorted vocals, richer soundscapes. It perfectly demonstrated the versatility of this Italian/Canadian band. 2001 was the year of touring, festivals and studio production. In April, they headlined a European tour with Noisex, Sonar and Re/Work. In August they participated in their first European festival, Eurorock 2001. 2002 was a year dedicated to hard work in the Defcode Lab studio preparing for their next release.
2003 marked the year of a powerful return to their roots and a change in European record companies. DF is now signed to Out of Line. Phoenix and Shockwave show a return to a harder, more minimalist sound. Very edgy and powerful, reminiscent of Technophoby and Bio-Vital. Phoenix and Shockwave were so well received that Decoded Feedback embarked on a full European tour with Haujobb in May/June 2003. On May 5th, Shockwave hit the DAC (Deutsche Alternative Charts) at number 4. Shockwave stayed on the DAC charts for 7 weeks. It entered the charts at number 4 and stayed in the top 3 positions, along with Marilyn Manson and Linkin Park, for 6 weeks reaching number 1 on week 22. Shockwave had the honour of being voted #3 Top International Album of 2003 on the DAC.
2004 proved to be a very productive and exciting year. Decoded Feedback embarked on yet another European tour in February/March, this time with support group God Module. The huge success of this tour brought Decoded Feedback to the attention of Europe’s biggest festival M’era Luna in Germany, where they played in August. To round up this very successful year, Decoded Feedback was invited to play an exclusive show in Mexico City at the renowned DadaX club.
2005 has been an extremely productive and exciting year so far. Combustion was released worldwide in September to rave reviews. Decoded Feedback were a huge hit at 2 major festivals: Infest 2005 (UK) and Blacksun Festival (USA). They will wrap up this exciting year co-headlining the Out of Line festival tour in Germany in November with Blutengel. A full European and North American tour are planned for spring 2006.
In 2010, Decoded Feedback return with their new album "Aftermath ". Throughout their musical career, Decoded Feedback has managed to stay true to their industrial roots while at the same time experimenting with various new sounds and techniques. Decoded Feedback have now returned with their much anticipated follow-up to Combustion entitled Aftermath. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the album is a striking barrage of hard hitting basslines, acidic synths, and distorted vocals all fueled by emotion.
Biagiotti and Dudas originally experimented with the fusion of punk and electro, but over time developed a more cold, industrial-oriented sound. By the time Evolution was released, they had attempted to create a blend of industrial and electronic body music, with "interwoven dance floor textures and symphonic melodies". This sound culminated with Mechanical Horizon, but turned sharply with Shockwave, an album that was seen as somewhat of a return to an older style. The duo's most recent release, Combustion, continues in this trend.
Both members have also cited the tensions that exist between genders and international boundaries, as well as their own unique backgrounds, as a driving force behind their music - especially in an attempt to create their own unique style. Decoded Feedback's music is popular within the darker electronic music scene, especially among fans of electro-industrial music. Comparable artists include fellow Metropolis Records label mates Haujobb, Wumpscut, Suicide Commando, and Front Line Assembly, as well as Zoth Ommog label mates X Marks the Pedwalk and Evil's Toy.
Decoded Feedback are:
Marco Biagiotti - vox, lyrics, samples, sequences, arrangement, basses and drums
Yone Dudas - keyboards, sequences, arrangement, samples, basses, drums and lyrics
Discography:
* Decoded Feedback - (CS) 1993 - no label
* Elektroküte – (CS Mini Album) 1994 - no label
* Overdosing – (CD Album) 1996 - Hard Records, Cleopatra • (CD Album) 2002 - Dying Culture
* Technophoby – (CD Album) 1997 - Zoth Ommog, Metropolis
* Bio-Vital – (CD Album) 1998 - Zoth Ommog • 1999 Metropolis
* EVOlution – (CD) 1999 - Zoth Ommog, Metropolis
* Mechanical Horizon – (CD Album) 2000 - Metropolis, Bloodline
* Reflect in Silence – (CD Maxi) 2000 - Bloodline
* Phoenix – (CD Maxi) 2002 - Out of Line
* Shockwave – (CD Album, Enhanced) 2003 - Metropolis • (CD Album, Enhanced) 2004 - Irond
* BioMechanic – (2xCD) 2004 - Metropolis
* Combustion – (CD Album, Enhanced) 2005 - Out of Line, Metropolis • (CD Album, Enhanced) 2005 - Irond
* Aftermath – (CD Album) 2010 - Metropolis Records
* disKonnekt – (CD Album) 2012 - Metropolis Records
* Dark Passenger – (CD Album) 2016 - Metropolis Records
Machine Kontrol
Decoded Feedback Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What have you been
What are you now
Log in, log out
Man or machine
What are your dreams
How can you die
Future is a lie
Man or Machine
An empty race
No body or soul
This machinery's
Got control
Man or machine
What have you been
What are you now
System's down
Man or machine
How can't you see
You are nothing to me
You are nothing to me
Man or Machine
The lyrics to "Machine Kontrol" by Decoded Feedback explore the idea of the blurring line between man and machine. The repeated question of "Man or machine, what have you been?" speaks to the idea that technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that it's difficult to tell whether a person is human or not. The mention of logging in and out further emphasizes the idea of being connected to a system or network.
The chorus of "Man or machine, what are your dreams?" touches on the idea that machines don't have any aspirations or desires, they simply exist to perform their functions. The mention of "future is a lie" could suggest a sense of disillusionment with the idea of technological progress as the be-all and end-all for humanity. The final verse, "an empty race, no body or soul, this machinery's got control" speaks to the loss of humanity and lack of individuality that can come with the increasing reliance on technology.
Line by Line Meaning
Man or Machine
Are you a human being or an artificial construct?
What have you been
What were you in the past? Have you always been what you are now?
What are you now
What is your current identity? How have you changed over time?
Log in, log out
Access the system when needed and withdraw from it when not in use.
Man or machine
Are you still human or have you become a machine?
What are your dreams
What do you aspire to achieve in life?
How can you die
What does mortality mean to you? In what ways are you vulnerable?
Future is a lie
The future has no fixed outcome and is uncertain.
An empty race
A soulless existence that lacks character and depth.
No body or soul
Neither a physical entity nor a spiritual one.
This machinery's
This system is in control of a human or a machine.
Got control
Exerts great influence and power over its subjects.
System's down
The system has crashed, malfunctioned, or ceased to function properly.
How can't you see
Why are you blind to the state of your existence?
You are nothing to me
You do not hold any value or significance in my eyes.
Contributed by Michael H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.