:W: Turning Back to "Brutal, Cruel, and Dark"
M. Mierzwa | Davis, CA USA | 04/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"About the Artist:
Wumpscut (:W:) is perhaps the seminal example of the terror EBM genre. Founded in 1991 by German industrial DJ Rudy Ratzinger, the band quickly became popular both in European and North American gothic and industrial clubs and is easily recognized by its harsh lyrics and imagery accompanied by beat heavy electronics and distorted male vocals.
About the Album:
Depending on how you count the numerous :W: releases, Siamese could be considered the 15th full-length album with new material. Long-time fans often point back to Embryodead and Music for a Slaughtering Tribe (MfaST) has the peak of Rudy's work and often lament that his newer releases failed to continue in that direction. Siamese represents a sincere turn back towards the angrier, darker, and brooding songs of old. To steal from the lyrics from "Crown of Thorns" off of Bone Peeler, Siamese is "Brutal, Cruel, and Dark ... dark, dark, dark".
My favorite track "Killuh" features Clara S., who voiced the spoken words on "Last Salute" (from Bone Peeler). Killuh is more of a chant and one of :W:'s more somber releases. A bonus to the chant is that the ostinato (i.e. melody) slowly transitions from electronics to violins to close out the entire album.
Another highly recommended track is the instrumental "Ziribit". If you liked the Mesner Tracks (MT) or intensity of songs from MfaST, then I can promise you that "Ziribit" will have you grinning and stomping. Think "Crate" from MT or "Default" from MfaST (two of Rudy's best instrumental pieces) and you will know and love "Ziribit".
Continuing the comparison of Siamese tracks with tracks of old, the opening track, "Falling From Lucifer's Grace", starts with a nice minor chord reminiscent of MfaST's The Day's Disdain mixed with Rudy's raspy lyrics to create a song that would be perfect for a Tim Burton-esque nightmare sequence. As noted in the general amazon description, the title track "Siamese" is slow paced, but like the previous tracks I mentioned, the subject matter and tone of the song easily fits in with early 1990s era :W:.
While this album is not another MfaST (my personal favorite :W: album), all the tracks are solid! The liner notes are well designed, including interesting artwork of a siamese twin skeleton and lyrics. I just keep telling myself, "It's not real! It's not real!" (and please don't tell me if it really is). While Rudy's choice to make use of a german looking (Fraktur perhaps) serif font is appropriate and adds to the flavor of the entire package, the lyrics are a pain to read. Siamese is a solid offering, so I'm giving it 5 stars.
Recommended Tracks:
* Killuh
* Ziribit
Similar Artists:
- Suicide Commando
- The Retrosic
- Hocico
- Leaetherstrip
"
Back to the good ole days
Master of Fright | Frighttown, USA | 06/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rudy's takin his sound back to his older style with this release, which to me, is definitely a good thing. I'm a fan of all of his work, but I prefer his older albums like Bunkertor Seven, Dried Blood, and Embryodead. My fave track would have to be the title track, Siamese... just has a creepy kinda feel to it. Loyal to my Hate is really good too, and Bam Bam is a fun track, but overall, they're all excellent songs. If you're not familiar with :Wumpscut: at all, this could be a good spot to start out. Just keep in mind, if you don't like this darker kind of music, there's also his albums like Evoke, Cannibal Anthem, Body Census, or Wreath of Barbs. Though the theme of 'dead bodies' seems to be in all of those, as well, so if you don't like that, guess you're outta luck. (="
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
