This interesting project comes from France and features members of Birds in Row, and pairs them with techno duo Maelstrom and Louisahhh. The result is a different take on experimental industrial music. The first song is a darker expression than the more militant stomp of 'Weak and Predatory." They leave swathes of ambiance thanks to the use of liminal space in the mix. A more hardcore-tinged male vocal dominates the chorus of the second song. Synth layers haunt the background like a Gary Numan song discovered after the world ended.
'Dead Meat' is a little darker in the guitar phrasing, though the speculative plea of the vocals is more on the frantic end of post-punk, more of a vulnerable punk cadance than the hollow Ian Curtis tribute most bands like this delve into. There is manic movement juxtaposing this stark, detached emotional current of the song. Sometimes the ambiance carries a noisy drone before giving way to minimalist beats. They do not intentionally keep things lo-fi, as there are at times swathes of sound that wash over the songs. The female vocals on "Nice Guy" are not as agonized this time around. Here, the groove is more of a cold wave grind.
"Magic" is lo-fi new wave with a frantic punk guitar that joins into the chanted pep rally vocals. Things ebb back down for the darker, almsot trip-hop feel of " Like a Storm". A Cure-like guitar line runs through the song. "Choke Points" has a robotically futuristic feel. It takes a passive-aggressive aggressive against what makes the world spin for better or worse, but this sort of thing should be subversive. It builds into a techno beat. " A Good Hunter" moves over a sub bass pulse, with a vocal line that feels like it should be from a PJ Harvey album. Which is an accomplishment. Another song that blends the electronic elements and the more organic side well.
"Bastion" is the most original moment of the album thus far , as it blends all the different elements ranging from post-rock to industrial to pop and blurs where any of it begins or ends. I guess the closest thing it reminds me of is Xiu Xiu. The vocals are screamed when they come in midway through the song. Dark and tense, so in some sense it's post-punk. In contrast, "Horse Song" displays their most vulnerable side. It's a pleading, desperate take on indie rock. The last song feels like what Sonic Youth might sound like if they were an electronic band. I will give this album a 9. There are some really stunning moments and some moments that kind of drone, but none of this is easily defined and more original than not.
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