Static-X improves, takes
new approach with techno
By
Kyle Boggs
Summer Reporter
In the land of new rock, standards are constantly
being pushed and reestablished. Now, the torch of metal-head leadership
is being passed to another band.
Static-X has regrouped and improved since their
last effort, "Wisconsin Death Trip," and created a new standard for
other hardcore metal bands to follow.
In a recent press release, Wayne Static, lead
singer and spokesman for the band, explained the differences between
the two albums. "This time, the songs started with loops and samples,
as opposed to the first album, where every song started with a drum
beat," Static said. "Because there's more going on, it makes the sound
a lot thicker."
Their new album, simply titled "Machine," is
enthralled with staccato guitar riffs, which are obviously tuned down
a step or two in order to achieve its dark minimal sound signature
of new rock today.
Another implement that has improved the band
since their last album is their new guitarist, Tripp Eisen. Formerly
of the New York band, Dope, Eisen joined after former guitarist Koichi
Fukuda parted from the band.
Static-X has always been able to harness many
aspects of industrial, techno, and metal into their songs, and this
album is certainly not the contrary. This time, songs are louder,
angrier and faster than before. The band can be best described as
Nine Inch Nails meets Rob Zombie, with vocals reminiscent of Pantera,
though talent from these bands far exceed that of Static-X.
The album opens up with "Bien Venidos;" sort
of a sardonically humored intro to the explosive "Get to the Gone,"
which is one of the fastest, heaviest songs on the album. It breaks
the silence with repetitive brain-shattering screams that set the
pace for the rest of the album.
"This is Not," one of the strongest songs on
the album, is concerned with anti-establishment lyrics and computerized
sound effects blended with electrifying guitar.
The downfall of "Machine," as well as most of
new rock bands today, are the lyrics. Static-X clearly relies on the
energy of the music rather than any attempt at profound messages.
Many of the lyrics are often too repetitive and sometimes ruin what
could very well be decent songs.
For example, the title track from the album,
"Machine," has pretty good potential from the beginning, but any hopes
of a good tune are shattered by lyrics like "I see your bleeding dark
side/I feel your angry heat/reveals forbidden places/more monsters
yet alive."
The album makes the listener wonder whether life
is really as bad as Static-X says it is.
Another general fault of this album and most
of the new rock genre is the musical talent displayed. It seems probable
that any high school schmoe can sit in their basement and play down-tuned
power chords while writing simplistic gothic lyrics to freak out their
parents.
Talent that is displayed on the album is Static's
vast ability to bring samples and computerized techno effects into
the music. The question at hand here is whether techno and rock truly
should be together. It sure doesn't seem to mix as well as peanut
butter and jelly.
