Dead Register : "Alive"

 Dead Register is one of my faves and has graced a few end of the year of lists on this blog and others I write for. This album picks up where they left off , but in a more refined manner. The groove to the title track that opens the album is smoothly syncopated. It carries an industrial stomp, but with none of the gear grinding abrasion. There is more of a 90s grunge influence in the drumming this time around. The blend of brooding shadows in the verses is stream lined as the song writing is more noticeably matured on " Let Me In".  I really love the dynamic that slither within "Circle of Lies". The more exotic Hungarian minor scales juxtaposition  the more pounding grooves.  

Despite being a heavier more grooving album overall the post punk side of the band is not gone. They tap into that sort of tension on "In Between". Haunted by melodic atmosphere even amid the driving drumming. The most radio friendly effort from the band this go around is "Jaded Love". I can see it appealing to fans of hard rock bands , it is more meat and potatoes chug.  Which I prefer a band that writes great songs no matter the genre they are in rather than heavy for the sake of heavy, which is perhaps why I am such a fan of this band , as they use heavy as color rather than the sole purpose of creation. 

The more romantic shade we call goth is indulged on "Two Silhouettes". It is done so in a way that does not languish over headstones, but in draping the atmosphere over the heft of the songs backbone. In doing so it stays anchored. Chvasta's croon is the one constant of this album that provides a unified voice to the narrative during the stylistic shifts/. These shifts are subtle not jarring Mr. Bungle turns from left field , but rather a demonstration of the depth they are able to create from. "Longest Day" floats somewhere in a middle ground between the cross roads of sounds the band dips into. The more rock side of the band is dug into again with the last song. It is moodier and more doomy in it's intentions , but a fitting sentiment to close this album with. They continue to perfect what they do and grow as a band so if you are a fan of their previous work, if this is your entry point I think you will be just as impressed, I will give this album a 10.