Combichrist stays in shape.
Founded in Norway in 2003 by vocalist Andy LaPlegua, the project has welcomed a number of different musicians over the course of its career, both live and in the studio. In 2024, together with Eric13 (guitar), Elliott Berlin (keyboards/bass), Dane White (drums) and Jamie Cronander (guitar/keyboards), the band unveiled CMBCRST, their tenth album, on Out Of Line Music.
Children Of Violence immediately returns to its Electro/Industrial roots, which will bring back memories for fans of the early years, but one senses that aggression is never far away, especially from the vocalist. The sound remains however danceable, unlike D For Demonic, which uses lively Metal riffs to fuel their much more direct and catchy approach, which I really hope to see at work live. The noisy parts are still there, allowing only a moment of floating before charging up again, leading us to Heads Off where raw energy and screams meet soaring, sometimes even ominous keyboards. The jerky break is proof of this strange mix, which changes on Only Death Is Immortal, giving greater freedom to the mysterious parts under the rhythmic martial march and vociferations of commander LaPlegua. Oppression resumes while becoming almost danceable with Compliance, the next composition, which will undoubtedly stir Goth parties the world over, while Northern Path unveils a coldness that is initially soothing, but which gradually takes over as the rhythm builds, returning to its heavier aspect. Through the Ravens Eyes offers an ethereal ambience, occasionally giving rise to much livelier, almost epic sections, before Wolves Eating Wolves takes its place with much more ferocious influences underpinned by an ethereal yet dark basis. The band anchors itself once again in pure Industrial with Not My Enemy, where guitars simply accompany the various samples and effects that regularly flare up to accompany the singer’s rage, making this one of the most effective tracks on the album. Modern Demon takes us back to the dancefloor with some rather accessible sounds, then Planet Doom and its retro video clip takes us back to the horror of the 80s before striking with a spasmodic, lively rhythm. The atmosphere remains similar with Sonic Witch and its haunting tones troubled by a few more dissonant harmonics, then Punk roots appear with Violence Solves Everything (Part 1), a short violent interlude that lets Violence Solves Everything (Part 2 – The End of A Dream) close the album by returning to the band’s usual style, where keyboards know perfectly how to make way for a solid rhythmic pattern when necessary, or on the contrary inhabit the entire moment.
Combichrist are perfectly aware of their evolution towards Industrial Metal, and CMBCRST offers us a handful of effective riffs. The few more Old School tracks are sure to please die-hard fans, and I’m sure there’s something for everyone!
80/100