Gemini Syndrome – Third Degree: The Raising (Century Media Records) [Alex Swift]
Alternative Metal has a reputation issue. The genre is bound up closely with nu-metal and today's acts who fall within the genres parameters can choose either to distance themselves from that legacy – Shinedown, Starset – or embrace it – Five Finger Death Punch, Ice Nine Kills. Gemini Syndrome bear all the distinctive marks of this genre – melodrama, a reliance on synthetic or else industrial instrumentation, anger. However, they are clearly shooting for something grander. Something which transcends the stereotypical hallmarks of alternative and marks them out for their lofty atmospherics and galaxy spanning ambitions.
Listening to ‘third degree – the raising’ I’d say that this was certainly achieved, even if at times the album lurches back into habits which are the definition of ‘safe’. Take the first two songs – Reintegration and IDK - these were the singles so naturally they exit to make a monstrous impression and enthuse the listener which they do through huge choruses as well as incredibly loud and polished production which leaps out at you and begs you to pay attention. These are not unfamiliar traits, yet I can’t say they weren’t effective in sharpening my senses and intriguing me as to what the rest of the album would sound like. Indeed, by front-loading the record with two towering stadium ready anthems, they captivate attention before the more experimental moments begin.
I should stress that despite the myriad of different influences throughout, this is still firmly an alt-metal piece of work that won’t convert you if you can’t find anything to enjoy in this style. That said, Die With Me leans into folk-rock, in a way that’s mysterious but also charming. Baptized In Fire is insatiably danceable in a mercurial and circus-inspired way. Later, Children Of The Sun begins on careening blues inspired not but later transitions into being a synth-inspired piece, while Abandoned is inspired by extreme metal, brilliantly contrasting the peaceful acoustic textures of Sum Quod Eris and Best Of Me.
In these moments, the album shines, proving itself to be a diverse and intriguing listen. That said, there are some moments that could have been easily cut. Broken Reflection does not stand out in the slightest and does not match the more adventurous side of the album. Likewise, Absolution chugs along mechanically for a few minutes before ending, failing to make any impression on the listener. These did not need to be on the tracklist, and with the fifty-minute runtime they only serve to make the experience seem less lean and considered.
I count myself lucky then, that the record redeems itself in its final moments, with Hold The Line proving a progressive and emotional moment that takes multiple twists and turns keeping you constantly enthralled. Indeed, while Where We Started From pivots back to the stadium-rock sound of the first two tracks, it’s place here feels earned, albeit not as much as that of the closer Fiat Lux which Is subtle yet also haunting and ethereal, in a way that excites for future entries in the ‘third degree’ series, should that be the route the band decide to take in their career.
Although there are elements to be scoffed at on this piece, what Gemini Syndrome have achieved here is a mature and acutely crafted alt-metal album which makes me question why they are not more famous than they already are. This sets a precedent for the act which if they continue to pursue, will make them one of the finest bands of their genre. 8/10
Dynatron - Origins (Blood Music) [Alex Swift]
As per the title, on this record Dynatron explore traditional synth-wave, taking influences from acts such as Kraftwerk to Depeche Mode. The result is a hallucinatory and psychedelic experience that perplexes the listener and takes them on a journey from the roots of electronic led music right up to the modern day. However, while ambient records that are largely or instrumental based always stimulate me throughout listening, I rarely feel an intense need to return to them, except when I’m in a very specific sort of mood and need music that will relax me, while not demanding too much consideration or emotional investment.
While Origins is evidently a record which required great skill and precision to make, and though Dynatron clearly loves synth-music with a passion, I can’t say that the album interested me from start to finish. I found the piece a very pleasurable, relaxing, and inspired listening experience yet not an interesting one, in the sense that while I could see this band occasionally providing a soundtrack to my drowsy, tired or even melancholy moods, I was not taken on the emotional journey that I usually look for in records of this nature.
This will certainly appeal to some more than others and if you are really invested in synthwave as a genre, I would recommend listening to this as it’s a passionately crafted piece that combines new and old. That said, this is definitely a case where my appreciation outweighs my intrigue. 7/10
Scrape - Armed With A Mindset (Self Released) [Matt Bladen]
As they impressed me at the recent All Day show from DFTS Promotions a month or so back, I was excited to see their four track ep drop into my inbox. Hardcore is something that has always been like Marmite to me but Scarpe infuse it with just enough stoner grooving to keep my attention. At around 15 minutes these four songs give you a brief but comprehensive introduction to what Scrape do with some hardcore punk savagery that all too often merge into bouncing stoner riffage.
The rhythm section build for comfort and speed as they dive into both with aplomb. The guitars are full of distortion and low end while the vocals are barked but clear enough to shout along on tracks like Booze And Good Company. After listening to this record you get the feeling that Scrape would be an ideal band on a Tony Hawk's soundtrack with just enough of a snarl to get any greebo moshing. The D.I.Y production is a boon to the recording making it all the more authentic sounding. Scrap come Armed With A Mindset and it's hard to disagree. 7/10
Slabdragger/Wallowing/Thin/Vixen Maw - 4-Way Split (Sludgelord Records/Black Voodoo) [Matt Bladen]