NFD's latest offering
What can we expect from the latest outing from the former bassist from Fields of the Nephilim? Well, certainly some gothic rock, with some particular industrial and dance edges to it. And thats largely what you are getting. It's going to be interesting to see how this album is taken up. Certainly, the band could indeed ride on it's history alone; certainly, a few publications (who shall remain nameless) have touted the band along these lines.
The overall feel of the album is one of grungey, dirty, dance infused, sombre rock. How can it be dancy and still sombre? Well, that's kinda the trick isn't it? "When the Sun Dies" is one of these tracks. The vocals are downbeat and quite, well, silly in places. Although they are supposed to be mean sounding, they simply sound a little too slurred in places and indeed, there doesn't seem to be a lot of power behind them
"Caged(Remix)" certainly has that dance edge to it. There's some nice background effects and a rapidly repeating, simple guitar riff over your standard beats. It seems more removed from metal and much closer to the industrial end of rock. Having said that, it's not quite completely there yet. There's plenty of guitar work, some of it reasonably clean. "Let it Rain" seems to lose something. It feels a little flat and less well bodied. "Move in Closer" has some fairly slurred, sweaty sounding vocals but brings back the dance element.
To be fair, its not really much of an album in its content. Its more of an EP. There are 6 songs with the rest of the CD taken up with videos - two promotional videos and two from the live concerts. The link with Fields is not only audible or via bassplayer Tony Pettitt (ex-Fields of the Nephilim), but very apparent in this visual part of this disc. The live videos are quite good, and filmed in widescreen. The promotional videos are less good, and I think the budget slipped somewhat.
I think fans of Fields of the Nephilim, Elusive and other such bands, you'll like this. Fans of NIN and other proper industrial bands won't really take to it. Its certainly in the gothic vain, despite the industrial, dance edge. I can't say this will get played again on my nice home system, but if you are a hardcore fan of the genre, it's a well put together album.