Carpenter Brut : "Leather Terror"

 The French synth wave project comes perhaps their closest yet to making a rock album with the more aggressive percussion leading into the album. One thing that makes this album stand out are the guest vocal appearances. The first is from Gunship an artist not far removed from what this project already does so it sounds like an extension of their natural direction though the vocal melody gives this a more accessible feel, connecting modern songwriting with retro sounds. Fromer Dillinger Escape Plan singer Greg Puciato,  handles the vocals for "Imaginary Firer". It might seem like an odd pairing if you are unfamiliar with his solo work, which does fall along the lines of a surreal retrofitted new wave sound similar to this. His voice flows very well with what they are doing here.    

Ulver is my favorite guest artist when it comes to their work apart from this. But here the ballad kind of falls little flat and I was hoping for more. I was not expecting anything from their black metal past, but more along the lines of their last album. Where "Day Stalker" sounds like this band is just clocking in for business as usual, "Night Prowler" is a more driven song that reminds me a little of Lords of Acid's first album. French singer Persha helps them to create a very authentic 80s feel that works well for what they7 are going for here. This could be the theme song to an 80s sci-fi movie.  Granted a very cheesy one, "Color Me Blood" kinda of feels like they are going to the well too many times as this worked on "Night Prowler " but more of the same falls flat.  

Sylvaine's voice works well with what they are doing on "Stabat Mate". When more electronic elements begin to pervade it works well as it brings her into their world and out of her comfort zone. This carries over into the following song. This finds them with a groove that plays more to the project's strengths without being redundant. Jonka from Tribulation joins them on the last song and adda a snarl to the proceedings. I think they should have produced his voice a little differently to blend it better, as this should be my favorite song but is not. I will give this album a 9 overall it is a great deal of fun, not perfect, but the strongest moments blanked those that did not connect with me as much. It could have been darker but I think it shines in regard to what they set out to do.