Cyanotic - Tech Noir

Well known in the Chicago industrial scene for his stompy and aggressive beats, powerful live shows, and as one of the forerunners of Glitch Mode Recordings, Cyanotic has been around since 2002 producing smashing records through and through. It is no wonder the average fan goes absolutely bonkers whenever Sean Payne, mastermind behind Cyanotic, releases something new - it is never without thought, attention, or dedication. I can only imagine how much swear - or cyborg oil - is poured into this project on a daily basis. He lives his dream and it is that charisma and attitude that drives so many people to his music - the bonus is that he actually makes really fucking good industrial. 

And though I can pour massive amounts of praise onto the project, it dawned upon me that Brutal Resonance has never once reviewed any of Cyanotic's albums in the past. I figured that that needed to change, and therefore I am here now ready to talk about the project's ninth studio release Tech Noir. 

Tech Noir serves as a tribute to classic and current cyberpunk and industrial music, culture, and lore. Summarizing a statement from Glitch Mode Recordings, Tech Noir also gives a nod to the film genre of the same name, as well as the nightclub featured in The Terminator. While I desperately wish to gather all of my favorite science fiction flicks together to watch, it is time for music. 

The majority of the album showcases blistering synthesizers taking place and control of the usual guitars, providing pounding, devastating industrial beats. Payne's vocals shout out with a little bit of distortion but never to the point of sounding muddy or sloppy against the wonderful production quality found on Tech Noir. Whether they mix in rough EBM influences on tracks such as 'Hyperaware' or 'Clear a Path' or sampling his favorite film on 'Survival Instincts', Tech Noir is brilliantly crafted.

If there is one song on the album that can easily produce a vision of Dystopian ideals, that would lie within the cinematic electronics of 'Neo-Tokyo Skylines'. I could only imagine a top side horizon view of a once destroyed, and now rebuilt Tokyo that's taken over by neon, cybernetically enhanced humanoids, and new but familiar technology. 

Through and through, Tech Noir comes off as an album that can both be smashing on the dance floor but one that procures a smorgasbord of science fiction images. Just listening to the album has gotten me in the mood for a three movie marathon consisting of Akira, Alien, and Terminator. So, I am going to leave now and do exactly that. Nine out of ten, easily. Give this a shot.  


Sep 28 2017