I had to go back and listen to "The Tyranny of Inaction" album to get a perspective on what has changed with these guys. There is less guitar on this album and the beats are more electronic-based and feel less industrial. The vocals are not as gritty, though one element that most closely resembles the present day. They are still on Cleopatra Records, so no pressure from the label they are conforming to. They dance in more of a middle ground which has become typical for many guys from this era. It's not until "Host" that they find a groove that makes me pay attention.
Some of the problem seems to be the way this album is produced as it needs more reverb to create a darker sound, which is what made their older work resonate in a more shadow-infested manner. "Fear Over Nothing" is bright sounding and too forward in the mix. This makes it sound like future pop, not dark wave. "Sick and Tired" is a little clunky, but the bass line to " Coherence" finds its more solid footing. The vocals are getting a little weak it would not be that hard for him to put more balls into it.
It's perhaps more frustrating that "Last Words " is as dark as the whole album should have been up to this point. This means they made some of the sonic choices on purpose and are capable of doing better. The vocals are hookier on this one as well making it one of the album's best songs. "All the Devils" is more upbeat than its subject matter thinks it should be. "Change" has more tension which is what this album needs. There is a little more depth in the vocals as well. I will give this album a 7.5, it's decent and sounds great at times. It does not capture their classic sound.
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