In a world where the rise of the machine is coming to fruition, with AI now cranking out tunes, adding a layer of guitar to provide a more human element to this project's computer metal is essential. The bigger challenge for my ears is that this is all instrumental. It's not my first dance with them, as "Hardwarez" earned a 9, putting it in the top tier of this brand of aggressive synth-driven music. Two songs in, I am unsure if they are going to fully realize the songwriting potential here or are they just going to make heavy sounds. There are some cool riffs, but cool riffs alone does not a good song make is the mantra here.
"Plug and Play" finds them backing off a little to introduce more synthwave sound. It's happy in the way power metal is that I am not a fan of, though it works better in this context. However, this compromises the mission a bit, as heavy is what sets this project apart from the pack, with acts like Perturbator also bringing a more metal dynamic. He hammers you harder on "Firmware" but it does not hook me in. It is more often than not a heavier album than what I recall from the last time I gave this project a shot. "Boot Section" has more of a neo-classical flair. It is impressive playing for what it is. Though no more of a song than what Yngwie Malmsteen does.
"Turbo Button" races faster with the devil down a Spanish highway. More of a thrasher but on the more technical side. "Voodoo2" is darker; it almost feels like if a King Diamond song was turned into video gamee music. "CRT" locks into an effective groove. But the last song treads ground we have already heard on this album before. Overall for this album to keep my attention as much as it did says something I will give this a 9, and see if I feel the need to revisit what they do, but if you're into aggressive synthwave, this is worth your time. Dropping on Metal Blade Records.
pst 518
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