Former Evil Mother frontman Curse Mackey returns with another solo album, this one carrying a more classic gothic/industrial pulse that takes you back to the golden era of Cleopatra Records' 90s output. The mood dims into a darker sonic color for "Vertigo Ego". His raspy whisper gives the song a Skinny Puppy vibe. As its name suggests, "Discocult" lends itself to cultivating a writhing dance floor with a more prominent groove. This follows the obligatory formula that conforms to what most "goth nite" DJs are looking for when it comes to constructing their set, something that blends into the expectations of the patrons. It's effective, but I am curious to see what range of dynamics this album will expand into, if at all.
That experimental edge to "Time Comes Clean", makes the groove stronger. The robotic effects combine with the syncopated cadence of the vocals, working great, making this one of the album's strongest songs. "Blood Like Rain" is more mid-paced and reflective. "Star Witness" moves more like a dark wave song, and finds Mackey's voice falling between the right grooves. "Who Knows" feels more like mid-90s Skinny Puppy, though I appreciate the fact that it employs different sonic colors, "Imaginary Enemy," which works off a bouncy energy, displaying a more manic anxiety underlying the beats.
The atmosphere-laced grooves that fuel " the Kindness of Serpents" brood in a more speculative fashion. I like the layers of melodic synths. The lyrics hint at apocalyptic speculations. It all fits together to make for one of the album's strongest songs. "Six Ghosts of Fear " closes things with a more futuristic groove that moves with more momentum. The vocals are more of a spoken word poetry layered on a cyber-groove, making it a cool listen, but not the most nuanced song of the album.I will give this album a 9, as it is what you want from this brand of dark-wave colored electro-industrial music. Out July 25th on Negative Grain.
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