Mint physical release, a damned fine example of the post-CD era!
I’ll admit up-front that even after several listens I couldn’t quite gel with this album ... technically it's well put together, but misses the mark somehow, for me. Perhaps it’s the ponderous pace, or that there’s no chewy bits or in your face drops ... or maybe I’m just too jaded – I have been on a bit of an industrial binge lately.
In saying that, I found this an excellent album to have blasting while working; the tempo and tone are soothing and focussing, whilst also throwing in some very enticing samples which beg attention. A weird dichotomy, but true for me. Whether it’s true for you is something you’ll need to discover for yourself – the link is at the end.
Elements of NIN, Manson, even a wee feel of Fear Factory woven in there. This is an album chock-full of enticing and melodic hooks, beefy riffs, and solid vox ranging through gentle to aggressive; delicately decorating the industrial fabric of samples, synth and sequence – all used to good effect.
Choke is the opening track; a very softly-softly slow intro brings you into a heavy scene laden with staunch metal riffs and solid vox.
Pure is up next, I like the hook on this track, melodic and enticing. Beefy riff, authoritative vox.
Ohm features another cool hook – I quite like the tweaky wee samplie-bits strewn throughout, and the heavy chorus.
Desolation offers up a similar recipe – tweaky intro, juicy riff. Mellow instrumental breaks leading back into the verse to offset the brutal chorus.
Senescence renders a delicate piano intro, overlaid with a buzz of faraday static. Nice imagery.
Chrome Lies, and to hear these guys tell the story – I agree. A huge and dark feel to this track, heavy stuff. Love the choral backdrop intro.
Chronic Atrophy offers up much the same script as rendered thus far, as does Plans for Winter – albeit in a vaguely threatening way.
Tentacle Vortex, heavy drum sequence and eerie backbeat weave throughout this track.
Out of Reach – I like the electric and martial feel to this track, very cool.
Get it here: http://crashscan.bandcamp.com/
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CEOMong
Breaking into the local music scene in September of 2009 with debut album Catalyst, post-industrial metal band Crash-Scan has been a fixture in Wellington, as well as a welcome visitor to Auckland and other NZ towns and cities, for almost five years. Frontman Ron Nobbs, with longtime collaborators Bryan Tabuteau on synths, Vivian Stewart on guitar, and new band member Ezekiel Clark on bass, have moulded Crash-Scan into a solid act, both live and on record, with the assistance of a plethora of session musicians, fellow artists, and supportive friends.
Having made a name for themselves as entertaining and proficient performers pushing a highly individual sound, the band has taken the next step and released a follow-up to Catalyst, the punishing Repeat Until False. While Catalyst featured stompingly accessible songs to headbang to, Repeat Until False takes a more measured and layered approach, the hydraulic-powered metallic butterfly to Catalyst's vicious caterpillar. The album feels more mature, with noticeable depth backing up its driving climaxes. With atmosphere to pull you in and churning sonic assaults to beat you into submission, Crash-Scan have proven that they're here to stay, and are going to make a lot of noise while they're at it.
With two albums to choose from, a pair of music videos (including one for new single Choke by Grimoire Productions), and numerous live gigs under their belt, Crash-Scan are set to drive their brutal blend of grinding auditory bedlam into the ear canals of anyone and everyone in earshot. Released both as a digital download or in a very limited edition leather embossed USB drive (only 50 copies!) containing a treasure-trove of goodies including the new album, a PDF booklet, two music videos including the brand new Choke, as well as remixes, karaoke & bonus tracks in a laser-engraved aluminium presentation case, Repeat Until False's release has something for long-term fans as well as those just being introduced to Crash-Scan's distinctive sound.