Having long championed this project so was looking forward to this album. There is a dark hazy multi layered sonic wall of synths that reminds me of Type O Negative. The smoother croon of vocals from Shore adds to this comparison. His vocals get more aggressive on the second song. There is still a more pervading sense of atmosphere creating a haze over things. The first of the two songs that feature an appearance by members of Perturbator and Tool (Carey and Chancellor) is "Centurion" it is dark and very bleak. It has a swelling tension and works as a song even though the contribution of the guests gets lost in the din of the machines.
"Maiden Star" has a more abrasive crunch, off set by the more organic warmth of the synths. The ambiance almost becomes kraut rocky. "Misery" you can get the feeling Danny Carey is playing, though for him it is rather straight forward. It is one of the album's best songs, not due to their contributions but due to the fact it is just well written. It took me a second or four to realize "Glorybox" is a cover of a Portishead song. Granted more industrial and rushing of course so I am all for it. Things go more experimental for "Blacksmith". The problem is it focuses more on creating sounds that attack your senses rather than being a strongly written song. It is like some of Skinny Puppy's more noise leaning work.
The noise and experimentation of the previous track is given more contrast, by the almost rock sensibilities of the title track that closes the album. This is most felt in the delivery of the vocals that is some of the album's most dynamic work while not adhering to any form of traditional rock hooks. I will round this one up to a 10 as the more experimental touches that detract from the song writing are balanced out by the songs where he really goes above and beyond by striving to push himself as a singer and a song writer rather than just being the guy who makes music with machines.
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