The debut of Jeff Wilson's excursion from metal into post-punk, as a solo outing was adequate, I feel he has a better handle on this brand of darkness in his other band Chrome Waves. At the time of the first album's release it seemed the trend of ex- metal musicians crossing over into post punk had reached the high-water mark and the band wagon still continued to roll. Though I can hear the blistered traces of Nachtmystium on the opening track despite it being more locked into an atmospheric drone. The vocals are a texture mixed into the back which creates more sonic heaviness.
This proves to be more effective than what happens on "Escape Velocity". On second listen the vocals were not as ineffective as they sounded on the first pass through the song, I think the problem is it plays off too many played out revivalist tropes which has become like hearing a cover band play all the radio rock hits you have heard from decades of past Yes, "In Cold Blood" does sound a great deal like Skinny Puppy, but that is a sound that is a lot less imitated, so it is not as stale as being in a bar and hearing a band cover "I Fought the Law" for the 1000th time. Sonically it is a great deal more appealing. "150000 Lives" is more of an atmospheric piece that plays more to his strengths as a guitarist. Despite the shortcomings of the vocals the music compensates on "Corridors" to make it an interesting listen.
They split the difference with the more Skinny Puppy sound and the post rockish ambiance gone kraut rock on the closing song and the results are pretty stunning perhaps making it the album's best song. The blend perfecting a sound with a melodic flow that proves you can write a great song of a drone; everything just takes balance. They do a great deal more sonically with this album, so it is an improvement for sure. I will give this album a 9 as it shows growth.
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