Dope Stars Inc. - Terapunk

It's been four years since Dope Stars Inc. have put out their last album, and in that time, I'm sure many fans of this Italian industrial rock group have been salivating at the thought of them unleashing another powerhouse of instruments and synthetic machines playing together in what some might consider absolute perfection. Well, it was back in 2014 when they announced that they were back to work on a brand new album, Terapunk.

Already teasing the album through special performances in Moscow and St. Petersburg, with three previews uploaded to the band's Souncloud page, and three performances lined up around various clubs in Germany, Dope Stars Inc is pushing promotion hard. They've even managed to maintain control over their digital distribution and the rights to all their songs to claim independence, CD and Vinyl distribution has been passed out to territory specific labels.

Off of specifics regarding distribution and all business sides of things, let me discuss the new album. It's already been described by the band as a "...terabyte of raw data straight to your face. A new ravenous synth'n'roll sensation of real instruments and artificial machines playing together." A heavy combination of ten different tracks pose themselves in a forty minute jam that should be enough to melt your face off.

I'd say, to start off, that the sound represented on the album mimics that of energetic guitar driven alternative rock of the early to mid 2000's, but edges in a newer electronic dance sound throughout the album. That does not mean that any of the anger or fuel that's been keeping them afloat all these years have gone away; fans ask for something better, something new with each release, and that's what these guys are providing. A fast, frenzied ride through guitar riffs and cybernetic segments that eagerly play side by side with the techno-punk inspired lyrics.

Stand out songs include It's Going To Rain For You, which serves as the introductory track and manages to capture the attention of the audience immediately and draw you in for a ride through the rest of the album. Speedy lyrical delivery during the verses and more sung out choruses play nicely with one another. Take It also stands out, serving out a decidedly more club friendly track, and also features some lovely synth based segments, and the various sonic sounds presented within Dressed Inside Your Fear manages to freshen the album near the end.

With that said, however, the whole album is a thrill to get through; those three tracks listed above were just the ones that I found myself enjoying more. From start to finish, the album just doesn't let up and ne'er bores in the slightest. Fans will rejoice that new material has come from their favorite industrial rock group straight out from Italy. This release is addicting, but I don't want to go to rehab; I want to revel in it and love it ever more. Jan 31 2015