Chrome Corpse - Helmet Mounted Display

The first time I heard of Chrome Corpse was probably back in 2017 with the review of the mighty Precision Field's Namazu single. It was only a remix and a pretty good one at that, but not enough to fully form an overall opinion of the group. As I started to pick up various Chrome Corpse releases, it became pretty evident they were an EBM band influenced by the luminaries of the genre. I really enjoyed the revelry even if the sound wasn't something new. Chrome Corpse took an aplomb approach to aggression in their song-writing which usually left me wanting more. Each subsequent release yielded some changes to the delivery that were both refreshing and welcomed. Being familiar with Chrome Corpse's work up to 2020, I sensed something was coming, something different, perhaps a destination where the boundary lines became blurred and the crossroads yield new territories to explore. Fast-forward to the end of the year and we have finally arrived at that destination.



Chrome Corpse continues to move up the ladder of sound evolution. The goblin gambling has now merged into Helmet Mounted Display, a deep dive into further realms of influence and sound exploration. The music drifts in and out of 80's and 90's EBM, while the vocals yield some more melody than in earlier releases. Any connoisseur of electronic music will certainly feel influence of bands like A Split Second, Nitzer Ebb, Johnson Engineering Co, Portion Control, Cabaret Voltaire and many more.  Not to say it sounds just like any of these artists, but rather the biochemistry is evident in the foundation of the tracks. For example this is very apparent with "Remembering Your Words". Hints of Portion Control "The Great Divide"creeps in and out. The wind of change for Chrome Corpse can be further explored on "Dance Or Die" which brings back some of late 80's and early 90's New beat and Techno Industrial found on New Zone Records and Subway Records etc. 

Helmet Mounted Display is the culmination, the amalgamation, the convergence of several ideas, influences and experiences within and outside of the varying  genres witnessed on this 6 song benchmark statement for the band. Chrome Corpse to this point is an Old School influenced EBM band that finds ways to tweak the EBM chassis with relentless aggressive measures that elicit thoughts of revolution, anger and power and they do it better than most of their contemporaries. With Helmet Mounted Display, Chrome Corpse are poised to stage a coup d'etat for an elite top spot amongst their peers with shifts in sound and design that will garner praise throughout the scenes. If you were looking for Chrome Corpse to shake it up a bit, this is certainly for you. 

Each of the 6 tracks offers something unique from the other tracks. Chrome Corpse retains what made them interesting and likable in the first place while adding different approaches that will continue to dazzle listeners with their creativity and centers of influence. This is a must have for new schoolers as well as the old schoolers. Well done Chrome Corpse! Bravo!
 
Check out last year's EBM smasher Anything that Moves cassette on Area Z. There is also a CD version on E-picenter. Vertex Records carries several releases as well. Check our reviews of the split cassette with Night Terrors and the S/T EP from 2017 for more information regarding the bands and their music. 
Nov 19 2020