Guns at Last Dawn (Ft. Burton C. Bell)
Combichrist got together back in 2003, formed by a Norwegian (Andy LaPlegua) guy living in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the only permanent member of the group with so many changes over the years, this is album number 9 in their career. They produce this industrial metal sounding style but could be what you picture in a very gothic club as energetic dance tracks. Caught them at a show in the Slade rooms some years ago and it was quite a surreal experience, the recorded material Can never live up to that so I’m interested to see how this one stacks up.
“Broken United” is a really down to earth metal song utilising those effects from the trance and dance elements that make this band stick out, especially the drops and crunches they drop throughout. Guns at last dawn has a huge static x vibe with the chaotic sections with those distorted elements but also NIN with the sharp thuds of that drum kit. Lobotomy is more the sort of song I would use to explain Combichrist, thick industrial tones from the likes of Static X and Ministry with the rhythm and styles from that of NIN and Spineshank. The NIN influence really flows through the tracks, especially that of “One Fire”, the albums zesty title track with those crackling snares and thuds.
If a strange concoction of industrial, dance, trance and heavy metal is something you’re searching for, or more so if you fancy a bit of a psychedelic experience, this band and their live show I cannot recommend enough, and with no sign of them slowing down you will all likely have your chance to dance with them!