Combichrist : "The Venom in the Mouth of God"

With darker synths opening the album with a groove, it feels like they are expanding from the militant industrial anthems. Granted, that is still embedded in who they are, but it reminds me of their earlier work. Andy has become a better vocalist over the years. Not a great one, but able to apply more vocal color. There is a coldwave-like feel to the first three songs, with more drive; it's more electronic than industrial, but it works for me. "Born Destroyer" finds the more familiar aggression creeping back in. 

"Feraline" finds a more balanced approach employed. The synths are moderately aggressive but more focused on you doing a stompy goth dance. Not only some of the latter-era Skinny Puppy songs. "Rise" is the first song that finds them stepping back into a more Post-Rammstein-flavored industrial. But it is not a deal-breaker. "Venom" shows that being more conventional and industrial is not a bad thing, and it works when done well, putting songwriting at the forefront. With songs like the more spoken word thumper "stfu" this can be hit or miss. Though on second listen even that one begins to grow on me with its 90s sensibilities. 

"Each Scar a Vision" has a more dancefloor-churning throb, with the aggression dialed back."Only Here For a Good Time" holds the cold wave tension as the beat pushes things forward. Lyrically this album is darker than it is sonically, as heard on "The Way We Want to be Seen". It holds more in common with Nine Inch Nails musically, though Andy talks his way through it. "Demons Wanna Be Cummon" holds a similar groove but is sonically more dynamic. The last song is more guitar-oriented and has a maringally more organic feel. I think this album is a step forward for this band, as the songwriting is a notch better, so I will give it a 9.5 and see how it sits with me. 

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