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

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)