Velcra - Between Force and Fate
In this day and age for any band to release a record fusing elements of metal, techno and pop, undeniably up-beat in tone, to a world over populated with ordinary bands obsessed with style over substance is a brave decision but nonetheless one self-proclaimed Finnish 'Sci-fi Metallers' Velcra have decided to make on second record, 'Between Force and Fate'. However, from the whirling dervish of a front-woman Jessi Frey, to the aptly titled DJ Freak, quite literally a gimp of a keyboard player, this is a band clearly out of the ordinary and one certainly not in the game to follow trends or to mug the ghost of Ian Curtis for every tortured howl or trademark stage spasm. There is a distinct bravery (pun fully intended) about releasing an album such as this and if albums were judged purely on balls this would be winning prizes left right and centre...
However they aren't and while Velcra may seem a few years out of date musically, their sound reminiscent of the invasion of mid 90's dance tinged rock bands such as Clawfinger, Senser or Pitchshifter, there is a definite contemporary edge at play and you can't help but raise a smile as the world class breaks intro of 'War Is Peace' explodes into the sort of raging riffage Fear Factory wish they could still make.
It is undeniably clear that the stand out factor for Velcra is front-woman Jessi Frey, her closest reference point quite possibly ex-Manhole singer and original rock vamp Tarrie B, but Jessi shows every sign she could, in her own right, be a poster girl for titillated young men and disenfranchised young women everywhere. Her expert vocal delivery veering from venomous spitting on 'Memory Loss' to the sort of angelic atmospherics on 'Water Is Getting High' that have made Evanescence's Amy Lee a superstar.
There is unfortunately a down side to 'Between Force and Fate' and what ultimately hinders it is purely the consistency of the music. Highlights such as 'War Is Peace' and 'Corruption' are few and far between, many of the other songs becoming increasingly samey and the programming and use of samples progressively cheesy. However a solid effort nonetheless and perhaps if the band manages to keep hold of their rising vocal star and, of course the gimp, we might hope to see their undeniable potential come to fruition. Expect to see sooner rather than later the Velcra exemplified by the best of this album.