Album Review: PSYCLON NINE: [Order of the Shadow: Act I]

Psyclon Nine

Metropolis Records [Released 23.12.13]

Picking up all the best reference points from Al Jourgensen’s demonic Ministry creation and shredded together in a moulinex with the sweeping drama of Rammstein, Psyclon Nine have produced an album of surprisingly good industrial metal swagger.

This will not be everyone’s choice of poison. Mainstream crossover is about as likely as Kiss apologising for pulling our plonkers for years. But within the niche that is dark industrial metal, this is a belter. All the ingredients are here: Inaudible, but probably very scary lyrics, spat out with black metal menace; absolutely relentless jackhammer drumming, scything guitars; a pummelling bassline and those swirling synth patterns sitting over the top like circling vultures.

Nero Bellum formed the band back in 2000, having been heavily influenced by industrial pioneers, KMFDM. Earlier albums have taken electro and metal turns, but this one is firmly back in the industrial sector.

Everything about this album is dark. From the cover photos in various shades of black to the disturbing, borderline offensive song titles like’ Take My Hand While I Take My Life’ and ‘Suffer Well’.

Sure, it’s limited in scope, but ignore the corny, nihilistic images and let the intensity flood through. It’s actually an uplifting experience. Just for a while. ***1/2

Review by Dave Atkinson

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)