PIG : "Dirt Box"

 

Raymond Watts has been particularly prolific these days. After releasing "Hurt People Hurt People," he is releasing this EP. It opens up with the very guitar-driven "An American Ideal of Beauty". If it reminds you of KMFDM, it's probably because Gunter Schulz is laying down the metallic riffs on it. There is almost a more 90s industrial metal feel to "Your Reptillian Overlord Presents" that is not unlike the kind of thing Rob Zombie was doing on his most recent album, though a bit darker and more nuanced industrial vocals than the roar Zombie normally delivers. But the crunch and groove are present and working well here. 

"Infidel" carries more atmospheric fear in the more lurking tension of its verses than the anthemic chorus. The vocals drop down into a lower, more dramatic register before building up in the more arena-ready Rob ombie manner. Yes. I am well aware of the fact KMFDM was making this kind of music long before Rob Zombie, or at least back when he was making crusty sludge punk that was trying to be the Stooges. However, since then he has perfected a formula that keeps him headlining stages, so it must be working.  Watts is certainly drawing inspiration from artists that came after him, as there is a Marilyn Manson feel to "Butterfly", another artist whose beginnings were different than where they are today, but has developed a formula that has a proven track record. Here Watts perhaps winks too heavilly in that direction. 

This ends the original song format, and the rest of the album is remixes. The thing about remixes, when presented in this fashion, almost makes me think if the remixed version is better than the original, then why did they just not make the remixed version the original and release an album of the best vision of these songs? With "Your Reptillian Overlord Presents," the breakbeats give a more original soung but the mix lays the vocals bare and makes them sound more like Marilyn Manson, so it's a mixed bag. "An American Ideal of Beauty" is remixed by Stabbing Westward, who brough a more 90s sound to things. It takes the heavier guitars out of the equation until the chorus. Which works well enough, and I can hear a "goth night " DJ  spinning this version rather than the original.

Combichrist's re-mix of "Butterfly" sounds more likea cover with Andy's vocals added to it. It is softened by the synth sounds. , however it all works well. Rabbit Junk's take on "Infidel" is heavy but from a different anglee as it's more industrial and less metal. If you do not know what that means, then why are you reading this review?  Anyway they capture a solid groove.Despite leaning into a more modern sound what his does here works great I will give it a 9 and see how it grows on me . Drops on Metropolis Records

pst418

Gothtober- Rabbit Junk : "Apocalypse for Beginners"

 These guys are on the fun trailer park nu-metal side of industrial. The emphasis on fun. Very groove and hook oriented. Growled vocals at time collide with almost dub-step sounds. They are joined by Amelia Arsenic on "Stone Cold", which reminds me a little of Mindless Self Indulgence, particularly when his singing gets more melodic. Industrial music should be equal parts apocalypse and catchy melodies contrasting the militant crunch. "Nostromo" brings back the more aggressive nu-metal vocal, though it does not feel quite as effective there. 

The more melodic future pop sound of the band as heard on "Love is Hell" is more of a winner for me. It is met with various metallic punches, which work better in this context. This would have been huge back in the days of Myspace. "the Grind" sounds like Cartman starts rapping over it. It is on the poppier side, but the guitars try to keep it anchored. "Bodies" starts off with surf rock guitar before building into more of a nu-metal thing. It's more up tempo, than the bulk of what they have done until it breaks down for the verses. 

"Praetorian Aureol" is the first song that strike me as filler. It does shift into their more nu-metal harsh vocal dynamic. The melodies and grooves just do not feel as hooky to me. "Rabbit Out of Hiding" is more dynamic in the shift from gothy ballad to the new wave bounce it takes on. The driving guitars thrusting it into the fight. The dub step attack returns on the last song and is set against the more future pop like melodies.  I will give this album a 9, as it is a lot of fun, and they accomplished what they set out to do with it, even with the nu-metal tendencies.   

Rabbit Junk : "Xenospheres"

 It's a mixed bag right from the start. These guys have a strong online following. The provlme is the guitars really sound like shit. They are super digita.l and really thin. It just doesn't sound heavy. The only reason I kept listening is because the vocals which are closer to a Post Malone style of pop on the verses caught my ear. 'the Bends" they are trying for a heavier sound which doesn't work thanks to the sub par guitar sound. I think these guys work best when trying to not have a metal sound . They are better at the more pop thing. As evident on the song 'Relentless". The key is less guitar the better. If you think "But wait these guys are a heavy band' then you do not know what heavy is and should go back to the trailer park and continue inbreeding. 

"Prismatic' works better with the female vocal accents. The guitar continues to sound like a robot fart, which does detract from the overall enjoyment of the song. The reggae touch to "Angry People" makes it one of the album's best songs. The drum and bass thing works for these guys. Even when the shitty guitars come it , it'ss counter balanced by the other elements in place. This is the exception to the rule. The reggae touch does feel a little more like 311. Ok by this part I am going to quit mentioning how much the guitar sucks and only bring it up if it gets better and try to ignore it at this point. There is a more of a Linkin Park feel to "Curse". The vocals has a soulful touch to them and this guys is a pretty good singer, to made he does not have a lot of work with here. It is obvious these guys are very nu-metal influenced. If you are into nu-metal then the conversation regarding what good music is and isn't is already over. 

The Peaches cover is odd, but they do an ok job with it. "Bits & Razors" has the nu-metal thng I was taling about earlier and finds them leaning more toward a Sliknot direction. Then there is this kinda meh electronic song that sends the album. Rounding this down to a 7.5, they have potential they just need someone to produce their guitar tone and get them off a nu metal diet.