|
INTERLOCK Crisis/Reinvention Anticulture (2005)
When I come across bands such as Interlock, I realise how important it
is to sometimes leave the past behind and concentrate on what the
present has to offer. You see, as most teenagers that grew up during
the 80's, I was convinced that I could only rely on the aggressiveness
of Thrash and Death Metal to help me release my bursting energy, and on
the melodies of classic Heavy Metal to express every other feeling, so
exploring any other musical avenues was simply out of the question. So,
how different is the music that this sextet is producing to these "old"
standards of mine?
Well, I don't believe that you can come up with a clear definition of
what's been presented in "Crisis//Reinvention”, but perhaps it is the
title of Goth/Industrial metal band that seems to be closest to the
style of Interlock. Now, it would be quite a logical thing to assume
that the eleven compositions, which are presented in this album, would
leave me totally disinterested, but to my own surprise, this is not
really the case.
Underneath all these layers of annoying keyboard melodies, weird
industrial samples and heavy Goth guitars, which are dominating the
first few compositions, there are some really interesting things to be
discovered, that can satisfy even an old stubborn person like myself.
The first song that managed to completely capture my attention was
"This Waking Moment". For the first time in the album, the band is
presenting a composition that is based on a single guitar melody, and
this leaves plenty of room for vocalist Emmeline May to create a
melancholic but quite welcoming atmosphere which might be influenced by
Pink Floyd - seeing as there are a few cleverly placed industrial
samples which create an effect similar to that of "Money".
The return to more Gothic metal forms (see late Mortiis) in "Cause" was slightly
disappointing, but it seems that Interlock have realised what it is
that they do best, seeing as the second half of the album is dominated
by these same melodic/atmospheric elements. Check out the disturbing
nature of 'The Hold' or the unearthly sorrow that derives from
the piano theme of 'Cold Air' and you will realise why I became
interested in this band in the first place.
It is really difficult to say if the appreciation that I have towards
this band is ever going to grow into something bigger...I assume that
this will all depend on their future choices, but even if they have
reached the limit of their creativity with "Crisis//Reinvention”, I
will still have a reason to check on their future releases. What about
the fans of this style of music - what do you people think?
Review byJohn Stefanis
Rating: ***½
|
