Industrial music reviews

Whatever else you may think of them, it's hard not to give Godflesh credit for one thing: even more than a decade into their career, they managed to steer clear of any of the trendy directions they could've pursed in 2002. Hymns, their final release, is a resolutely metal album from start to finish, even largely doing away with the hip-hop and industrial elements that characterized some of their previous work. What you get instead here is stripped-down aggression that may not have marked a huge progression for the band, but did manage to pack a few surprises at points (more on that later). No, Hymns isn't as downright evil and scary as Streecleaner, and it's not a genre-bending masterpiece like Pure, but it is a highly listenable slab of heaviness that managed to close out Godflesh's career on a high note.

If you're in the mood for some headbanging, you came to the right place, as Hymns packs some of the most thunderous grooves in Godflesh's career. Ironically enough, Hymns often ends up bringing to mind the early work of Fear Factory, whose roots in Mr. Broadrick's work have always been obvious (the Fear Factory classic Demanufacture even includes a cover of an old song by Head of David, fronted by Justin himself). Several tracks on here, most notably the first three, are vintage 'Flesh, propelled by Justin's unmistakable in-your-face growl and angry lyrics. It's clear that riffage is the name of the game here, as the album's heavier material packs plenty of the proverbial punches to the gut. And there's even a human drummer this time around in the form of Ted Parsons, whose aggressive pounding (which makes up in enthusiasm for what it lacks in polish) brings a refreshingly organic element to the proceedings.

The album starts off in classic Godflesh fashion with the methodical, monolithic chug of Defeated before kicking into high gear with the explosive, infernal pummelling of the uptempo Deaf, Dumb & Blind and Paralyzed. The main riff of Deaf, Dumb & Blind is especially devastating (not to mention addictive), echoing the best recent work of Napalm Death as it bursts out of speakers in eardrum-abusing fashion. Animals is a piece of uncompromising sonic stomp led by Ted's crashing drumbeats, while Antihuman delivers a blast from the Pure-era past, mixing a bouncy hip-hop beat with grinding guitars and Justin's scorched-earth vocals. One of the things I've liked most about Godflesh since I started listening to them was the way they managed to distill heavy music to its most primal elements-guitar, bass, and drums (or drum machines as the case may be)-giving their music the kind of visceral attraction that can too often get lost in excessive technicality or complexity. Fortunately, that agenda is still very much in evidence here.

At the same time, it's obvious that Justin was looking to expand beyond the confines of his main band, and much of the material on Hymns foreshadows the direction that he would take with his current band Jesu. Starting with the fourth song, Anthem, and continuing through tracks like White Flag and Regal, Hymns delves into Isis-style post-metal territory, adulterating the band's traditional fearsome heaviness with ample doses of drone, melody, and clean vocals. And surprisingly, they get away with it quite well. Justin certainly won't make anyone forget about Frank Sinatra, but for all its rough edges his voice manages to attain a mournful quality that recalls the more profound moments on Pure, and occasionally even sound somewhat hypnotic (White Flag being the most prominent example). Godflesh's music (what I've heard, anyway), was always as much about disillusionment and disaffection as anything else , and this album is no exception; it just explores a somewhat novel way of expressing its emotions.

While Hymns did prove to be Godflesh's valedictory, have no fear: Justin is now heading up the aforementioned Jesu, whose sound is basically a logical extension of this album's (there are even some keyboards to be heard). Definitely worth a listen or two. And if you like Godflesh and Jesu, make sure to check out Isis and Pelican as well for some like-minded stuff.

This final release from the legendary Godflesh outfit delivered what most of us insane fans wanted:
Total guitar-driven songs & minimalistic production combined to unleash this crushing slab in its purest form.
Sampling & electronical manipulation found on other releases are vacant; vocal effects & drum machine also were not employed.
Ted Parsons' unique drumming drives the album with drum-machine precision & style, ranging from basic beats to defyingly intricate timing....and yes, they are real drums.
The monolithic detuned guitar of J.K. broadrick is as it should be: cranked to 10 through a Marshall 1962 Super-Lead with no added B.S. The chord phrasing he employs along with expert use of harmonics is an audio experience not soon forgotten.
Hymns ended an era; the departure of co-founding bassist G.C. Green upon recording completion & the disbanding of Godflesh soon after, was news we could have done without.
Absolutly essential listening.

After being a GF fan for a decade now their 7th installment
Hymns proves itself to me to be one of their best besides of
course STREETCLEANER. To me it's got the qualities I like from
previous lps. Although less experimental than the previous
journey US & Them- it makes up for with heaviness. Also this
is their 2nd release with a live drummer this time TED PARSONS
(of Prong/and SWans)- TEd does a fantastic job and at times sounds mechanical. "For Life" is a good example of that. Justin, GC, Ted still do some experimenting like the final track "Jesu"-
which has a hypnotic bass track over heavy guitar with pychedelic overtones. The track "Anthem" will get stuck in your head for days. Also another good track is "White Flag" which sounds like a Swans song to me. Very slow crawly tempo with some
delay ridden vocals. This is everything I like in GF record- it's angry,brutal,hypnotic,heavy,psychedelic,pounding but don't take my word for it- seems like people that reviewed this agree.

Ahhh....this takes me back. I can't believe it's been five years already!!

Excellent!! This is one of my all-time favorite ebm/industrial listens and is my favorite Funker Vogt. I love to play UT04 to these tunes - very mechanical/industrial sounding with a hint of wartime angst - gotta love it! I would say my favorite track is track 11: Zeit - it's a slow tune, but very moving...

Some people love it, some hate it. If you like Front Line Assembly, you might like this one.

Simply excellent. I can't say I'm a particular fan of industrial music (I'm kind-of like all music-styles, except for modern pop), but this is simply... great. The stamping beats, the wonderful melodies, and the lyrics which delivers the dark theme of war and destruction. In particular, the song "Maschine Zeit" is extremely good.

A CLASSIC. This is Funker Vogt's signature album. It is the amalgamut of ideas and structures they were building up to. Albeit less aggro than the past efforts it is ear candy nonetheless. Solid EBM. This one plays on my system quite often and if you get a chance to own the import...it comes with cd rom content as well as the bonus track "Horizon". Check this one out first! Faves: "Maschine Zeit", "Nuclear Winter", "Cold", "Nothing To Include", and "Horizon".

I don't really have to say much about this item, so I'll some it up in two words, H.I.M. ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!

lots of good remixes, and rareties. last in my collection, now i've got it all.

this "album" is essential to any true to worship H-I-M fan. it had most of, if not all, the singles up to DSBH. lots of rarities, lives, and unheard of's. my only complaint is that buying The Single Collection takes the fun out of ebaying and scouring online for each individual single, by hand. it takes the fun out of searching and digging, being a fan at heart. oh well, doesn't mean you can't get the 'version with 1 song only."

A great collection of songs! They're a great band that sounds similiar to another band! *Hint, Hint*!...

I will rate this CD based on music, not how it relates to other CDs. This CD is filled with brilliant music. Everyone will have a different opinion on the song choices. However, there are many songs that everybody can agree on. I would prefer the regular version of Worlock and I often find myself skipping Censor, and Tin Omen. Other than that I think the song choices are great. This CD provides solid 70 minutes of music. I absolutely love it. It is obviously useless to buy it if you own many SP CDs. It is a great starter CD, and it offers a very broad choice of songs instead of one particular style.

However, it's called the Singles Collection and it has no Chainsaw!

Ok look this CD is great for starting to get into SKinny Puppy It not not only some of the best songs they did but also you can see how the band progressed through the years and sort though and find the time that you can get other CD's from that era I personally like the rabbies album. But this is all around the best CD you can find for a broad spectrum of Skinny Puppy

A great collection of songs! They're a great band that sounds similiar to another band! *Hint, Hint*!...

I will rate this CD based on music, not how it relates to other CDs. This CD is filled with brilliant music. Everyone will have a different opinion on the song choices. However, there are many songs that everybody can agree on. I would prefer the regular version of Worlock and I often find myself skipping Censor, and Tin Omen. Other than that I think the song choices are great. This CD provides solid 70 minutes of music. I absolutely love it. It is obviously useless to buy it if you own many SP CDs. It is a great starter CD, and it offers a very broad choice of songs instead of one particular style.

However, it's called the Singles Collection and it has no Chainsaw!

Ok look this CD is great for starting to get into SKinny Puppy It not not only some of the best songs they did but also you can see how the band progressed through the years and sort though and find the time that you can get other CD's from that era I personally like the rabbies album. But this is all around the best CD you can find for a broad spectrum of Skinny Puppy

Where is Reserrection, Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart, One Last Time, The Phantom Gate, Sigillum Diaboli or (Don`t Fear) The Reaper? Why a Greatest Hits in this moment? A Best Of in a few years are better. HIM forever

HIM achieved the title of creating a new sound. Their "love metal" genre is unexplored by other artists to the extent HIM has. In my opinion, all of the past albums have been equally good, all four of them have their high and low points. For other Americans, sometimes HIM albums are hard to find without being priced higher because they are imported. Most all of the best HIM songs are on here, and it is enough to get any new fan hooked.
It also has a new song that the album is named after, Love Said No. This is a good song, and is worth downloading if you don't want to buy the album.
My only problem with this album is that it doesn't have one of the best HIM songs ever written, which is the song Beautiful. This would have been the perfect collection of HIM with that song.
Anyways, if you want to hear music that slips into darkness but still holds the beauty of love, listen to HIM. Your taste for music will change for the better once you do.

Ok, so as everyone probably knows, and if you dont you will now, HIM havent been around very long, and it seems kinda early to release a best of. But this is one of the first US releases by them, and it makes perfect sense to put it out now and let people hear songs they may not have access to if they dont have the other cds. Anyway, when i fist got this cd i realized it didnt have some songs on it i thought should have been on there. Razorblade Kiss, Heaven Tonight and a few others, but overall this is a GREAT representation of what HIM's career have been all about. It mixes the faster, more energetic songs with the melloer, calmer tracks that they have. And just like on all their cds before it, they pull it off AMAZINGLY. I really like the new track "And Love Said No", i agree with some other posts in that it is depressing, but i still think it is amazing. And as far as "Solitary Man" goes, they do with this classic Neil Diamond tune what they do with every cover they do ( look back at covers of "Don't Fear The Reaper, done by Blue Oyster Cult, "Wicked Game", done by Chris Issac, and even the hard to find Backstreet Boys "Larger Than Life") they remake it and keep some of the original themes of the song, but redo it and make it sound like a HIM song. I cant think of too many bands that can make a remake almost as good or better than the original, AND make it sound like an original at the same time. I think this cd is and should be an addition to any HIM fans cd, new or old, i must say it really isnt one of the cds i would recommend to buy before one of the other HIM cds (unless you have never heard a HIM song and/or dont own a HIM cd). Its great dont get me wrong, but i think the other cds should be bought before it unless you are a new HIM fan, or already have the reast of the cds. The DVD is awesome too, i really like how they always go the extra mile for fans and give them a little something extra. The DVD doesnt play in all types of DVD players, so be forewarned about that, i luckily have one that supports it but many do not, so look into what kind of DVD you have. Also i saw on their website that they are putting out another box set, but this one includes the first 3 cds (Greatest Lovesongs Vol.666, Razorblade Romance, and Deep Shadows and Brillant Highlights. It comes in a really cool box, same cds and all that but its a definite for true HIM fans, or fans looking for a convienant way to get all three cds for less money, so go to www.heartgram.com and check it out) Well thats my review, hope it was helpful, not as good as my other reviews, but i said what i would, and have told other people that are intrested in buying it and they seem plesed so.......there ya go.

I bought this album the day it came out and I have listened to it over the last two years. Well, I have to say that this album is not as appealing as Sacrificed, which had more of an organic sound to it with the guitars and beats and such. To me Damaged is almost too techno for me. I loved Razed In Black for the heavy guitars, the angry vocals, and the dark evil lyrics. Damaged is more tame in terms of the music style it portrays, even the guitars sound like a keyboard effect, and there is very few on here. He definitley sings more on this release and is way more melodic, and mellow and dare I say...more accessible. But I'm not mad that the album is this way. Romell is a D.J. above all and his first love is obviously electronica, which makes this albums programming stellar. The only reason that I am disappointed in the end is that I wanted another heavy album and this album is not heavy, unless you count the non-stop bass drum. Even Shrieks, Laments, and Anguished Cries is better than Damaged, and I think that album was pretty boring too. I am not a fan of straight up techno, which is what most of this album is, so it will collect more dust than all my other cds thats for sure. Stick with Sacrificed...its flawless and the only one you need. Remember, this is just a personal opinion....if you like techno I do totally recommend this.

RiB was a welcome discovery for me. I was trying to find something less like NIN and the other (what I call) "pop" industrial groups out there. I wanted something faster, a little more dance-ish. RiB delivered.

The album revs-up slowly enough that you can, quite literally, work-out to it (and I have, on occasion). The BPMs hover in the vicinity of 120 (bottoms-out at 90 and top-ends at near 160, near as I can figure), the drum sequences are masterfully done, and all the elements blend to make a superb listening experience.

So why the four stars? Profanity. For some people it's no big deal, but it bugs me to no end; especially in my music. RiB could've nailed down five stars if it weren't for the bad language. I'm tempted to go song-by-song, but that's overkill.

If you're looking for "industrial" that's going to have a good, strong dance beat and enough melody to separate it from speed-metal, then RiB is your band.

This album is fantastic. I would play this album over, and over again until its so old, i would make a hooker's fanny look unused. Anyhow its a must have album and if you don't buy this album, well, huh, you must have the I.Q. of a carrot!!

Quick Review: Having heard Rommell Regulacion's previous songs on Industrial compilations, I picked this one up. Some incredible guitar riffs, cool vocals and kick@ss electronic melodies. The closest voice I can compare Rommell to is Trent Reznor of NIN, another reason I bought this album. Some really amazing tracks like Caught, Master and Solution really stand out, while the final hidden track, "Oh My Goth", is pretty sweet, with some really catchy melodies and Chorus of Rommell's gritty screams.

Pretty cool album; recommended for Heavy Metal/Industrial fans.

9/10 for Sacrificed. The follow up album, Damaged, is quite a departure from this one, much more tame and trance oriented, missing Rommell's intense vocal screams.

Also check out NUMB's Blood Meridian, Language of Silence, VAC, NIN, etc.

I bought this album along with Damaged, and I listened to Damaged first.

Then I put this CD in, was greeted by the sound of whipping, and pain, and then the first song starts, Caught.

I was nearly blown away by the beginning, I listened in disbelief at what "old" Razed in Black sounded like, and I loved it!! It was hardcore, heavy and extremely emotional. It's a great album, and highly recommended!

Great songs include Caught, Solution and the hidden track, Oh My Goth!

You like industrial? You buy this album, and you are happy.

Like in Razed in Black's debut CD ("Shrieks, Laments and Anguished Cries"), "Sacrificed" opens with moaning, this time by the all-in-one singer/guitarist/etc., Romell Regulacion, who is supposedly being "Whipped," though you may have to strain your ears to hear it. This is just the beginning of a S&M theme heard throughout the CD, especially in songs like "Lust" [#8] and back-to-back tracks #3 ("Master")--"Beg to your Master"--and #4 ("I Worship You")--"Tie me down I'm helpless / Blindfolded and gagged / Force the blade against my throat / Lick the blood against the edge." Aside from the physical pain, there are several songs that deal with more inner demons, but most of them tend to lean, again, towards masochism. There's even a good cover of Metallica's song, "Damage, Inc" on track #9. Although tracks #1 ("Whipped"), 5 ("Snooze"), 7 ("Guilty"), and 14 ("Are You There?") are just fillers, they're all enjoyable--Romell getting whipped in track #1, beating his alarm clock in #5, and making an unanswered phone call in the last track on here. Overall: this was a terrific CD. If you're a Razed in Black fan--or are just looking for something different in the goth/industrial vein--then "Sacrificed" is certainly worth buying.

Not 100% Industrial, and definitely not 100% Techno, this is an amazing recording. I have always loved NIN, early Front 242, Ministry, some Skinny Puppy, and a bit of Front Line Assembly, but THIS work takes the cake... amazing... I remember buying this when it was first released and expecting the same old Front 242 attack... wow, was I surprised.... female vocals for starters, but also a new sense of continuity and VERY cool synth/sample work... it will ALWAYS be one of my required listening CD's... Highlight: GenEcide... just listen to it.

This was the second album that was released in 1993 and it is one of the best ebm albums ever recorded. I think that it was a very bold decision to go with Christine Kowalski as their lead singer instead of their regular vocalists. The end result is nothing short of astounding and stupendous. Kowalski adds a new element and edge to a band that needed some new blood and new ideas at the time. The lyrics are some of the best the band has ever written and they are not as obtuse and confusing as on some of their earlier releases. The sounds selected are nothing short of amazing and the vocal treatments sound awesome. This is such a great album and I personally think that it is Front 242's magnum opus.

I always had a hard time deciding which of the two innovative 1993 albums from 242 was better. At first I prefered this album, but then I went back to liking the more laid back 'Up Evil' album better because of all the complex layers it had.

But despite, this album is the harder & stronger big brother of 'Up Evil'. The lyrics are loud & driving with distortion filters. I think 242 really paved the way on vocal filter innovation here.

I see this album as a MUST HAVE for any real industrial fan. While 242 isn't as commonly known as NIN because their lack of a Top40 hit, I would say 242's music is much more complex than NIN, if not always as catchy.

1. Animal (Cage) - great slow intro (I don't rate intros)
2. Animal (Gate) - 5 stars
3. Animal (Guide) - 4.5 stars
4. Modern Angel - 5 stars
5. Junkdrome - 5 stars
6. Serial Killers Don't Kill Their Girlfriend - 4.75 stars
7. Skin (Fur Coat) - 4 stars
8. GenEcide - 3.75 stars
9. Crushed - 5 stars
10. offEND - great soundscape (I only rate songs)
11. Animal (Zoo) - 4.5 stars
12. Serial Killers Don't Kill Their Boyfriend - 4.25 stars
13. Happiness (More Angels) - 4.75 stars
14. Crushed (Obsessed) - 4.75 stars
15. Melt (Angel) - 4 stars (sounds a touch like older 242)
16. Speed Angels - 5 stars

I've got a lot of 242 albums, and the one that gets the most play is their most recent studio album, "Pulse." This record and its companion tend to sit in my CD wallets for months on end.

I popped this puppy back into the CD player today, and felt compelled to write this review.

The sound on this album is really interesting. The production, for starters, sounds as if Front 242 were trying to take on the production values of "Psalm 69" by Ministry, which is strange indeed. De Meyer's and 23's vocals are aggressive and grainy, and the vast layers of sound sometimes melt and flow with each other. The album's style is also worth mentioning. I often thought of this album as Front's attempt to create a commercially successful record, but no more. Despite the appearance of some tradtional rock structures, Daniel's and Patrick's masterful electronics pulse with energy, bright synthesizers chirping above their ultra-heavy beats. The basslines are gorgeous, the guitar sounds fit well. The music has an epic, rushing, revolutionary militant style, totally different from the sounds of "Offical Version," "Front by Front," or "Tyranny >For You<."

On top of all this masterful programming, De Meyer's lyrics and vocals are, I would argue, in top form. His voice has a much better studio sound than live, in my opinion, and even here, in 1993, a decade after the band's birth, his voice had not yet become a stylized trademark of the industrial sound. He sounds like a person here, and his lyrics... oh, his lyrics...

On the opener "Crapage," a huge, stomping, fast, killer song with grainy vocals, De Meyer sings tribute to some ideal political leader, a great, peaceful man or woman, whose great military prowess is required, a power that will crush any evil that opposes it. De Meyer expresses his confidence in his leader, summoning that unknown strength which the world so needs.

And this song is typical of the rhythm and power of this album. Themes of internal conflict and Front 242's trademark vague aggression recur, but don't feel stale here but new and awesome. Track 6, "Stratoscape," is your first break from the intensity, but the beautiful programming of this track won't let you go. "Hymn," the next song, brings the military, revolutionary theme back, with THE most epic chorus I have ever heard. Listen carefully! You only get to hear it once in all its glory.

From there, the album takes on a slightly different tone, a darker and more brooding sound, almost hearkening back to "Official Version." But the nonvocal mix of "Crapage" and the insane "Pussy Whipped Mix" of "Religion" will soon get your mental boots stomping again, your passion for revolution reignited.

If you're a 242 fan, this album might throw you off at first. Stick with it, and you will be rewarded.

If you aren't, this album is a great piece of music. I can recommend it to you if you're a fan of metal, punk, industrial, or even radio-oriented rock. Front 242 are a great, great band, and this album is a mostly accessible epic gem.

Oh, and as for the title of the album, it's easy to figure out. 01=A, 02=B, etc.

While you might think the deciphered title to be a little juvenile, unnecessary, or offensive... it IS the overall theme of the album!

People do not realize just how different this album was compared to Front 242's previous releases. Myself and many others wanted Front 242 to record and produced tyranny for you part 2 and I was very disapointed when the album was released. However, after I started listening to Minstry, Revolting Cocks and the like I started to truly appreciate this amazing ebm/crossover album. The sound is much more untamed then on any of their other albums and the vocals sound allot more like 242 have taken hints from the likes of Skinny Puppy and other more experimental and aggresive industrial rock groups. This is an album that should not be missed by fans of awesome ebm music or fans of this legendary band.

This album totaly blew my mind when it came out. It had really opened the door on industrial for me, and the fact that 242 released a 2nd legendary album only 5 months later. 242's shyle is pure industrial but with no guitars (ok once in awhile there's a little guitar work), some people refer to this style as aggro.

Even with the hard & fast drums and harsh synth, I always looked at this album as 242 doing violent industrial ambient. There's something really soft about the sound in my eyes, but yet still stays with this new industrial sound.

1. Crapage - 5 stars
2. Waste - 5 stars
3. Skin - 4.5 stars
4. Motion - 4.5 stars
5. Religion - 4.75 stars
6. Statoscape - 3.75 stars (sounds like older 242 which I find inferior to this new complex style{
7. Hymn - 3.75 stars (sounds like older 242 which I find inferior to this new complex style{
8. Fuel - 4 stars
9. Melt - 3.5 stars
10. Flag - 3.75 stars
11. Mutilate - 4 stars
12. (S)Crapage - 4 stars
13. Religion (Pussy whipped bix) - 4.5 stars (harsh but interesting)