Serves me right for judging a book by its cover…
The press release for this release simply read:
“Third groundbreaking chapter from electro metal masters Herrschaft. A 12-tracks magma of violent experimental grooves, ecstasy-driven riffs and smashing hits.”
A cursory glance at their back catalogue suggested they ply their trade in the well-trodden style of industrial/goth club music. So I was all up for kicking back to disengage and enjoy something uncomplicated and fun.
So, I press play and the initial electro intro build ups…. To promptly boot me in the face with the metallic fury of opener ‘Gates To Dream’, it has all the elements of industrial metal that Rammstein,Oomph and KMFDM do so well, the simple yet huge metallic riffs, electronic and synth backing tracks, but the intensity is dialled up by the aggressive nature of the dual high/low growled vocals.
You certainly have my attention Herrschaft!
And keep it they do as ‘Kimi Ga Yo’ kicks into full on nightclub mode of pounding high hat drumming, ‘thumping’ bass (did I just right that) and stop start metal riffing plus huge chorus, the type of song that will go down a storm on stage and on dance floors.
The heartbeat of this band and album definitely lies in the aforementioned club stompers with full on glow stick wavers such as ‘Virtual Medication’ and ‘Almighty’ but they can certainly mix up the formula in surprising fashion.
‘Disorder Mind Mechanics’ and ‘Endlessly Revolving’ definitely have a lot more in common with symphonic metal theatrics than anything goth/industrial, even sounding almost Dimmu Borgir in places, while ‘Thirty-Six’ even treats us to that lesser spotted guitar solo.
There is one missed trick though, track five is called ‘Rat in Cage’ and I’m disappointed to report this is not a smashing pumpkins cover! Still a great industrial tune mind.
So does third album Les 12 Vertiges deliver on their promise? Pretty much, it won’t change your world but will certainly give it a thoroughly good rocking. Oh and bring your dancing shoes.
