Kult Of Red Pyramid - Void Zero

It's unusual for a side project to be reviewed before the main act, but that's exactly what happened with Shinrei Project - KORP is the lifeblood of Ivan and Josip, and is credited as a true hybrid project, in(korp)orating a miasma of genres into their sound.

The initial track 'Cold' is a very well intergrated combination of Futurepop and Dark Electro, the programming is both melodic and highly energetic, the vocals list slightly towards the harsher side of coherent, and the melody of the track has all the credentials to be a club hit. It actually reminds me quite a lot of earlier Suicide Commando.

Likewise, 'The Secret' enters the territory of Electro-Industrial, and, much to my eternal surprise, this album sounds a lot like Xiescive's 'Nexus' - which is in no way a bad thing. I was expecting something highly experimental and mind-fucking, but this enters the realm of :wumpscut: meets SC meets yelworC, with a hint of Futurepop.

Rather interestingly, this seems to change later in the release, as the act sounds more like Cue to Recall and Funker Vogt than any of the above acts, but my biggest compliment to this CD is how well it is produced, and how crisp and clear everything is. 'Sleeping Beauty' represents this well with the vocal mix being nailed perfectly, and on 'Shell of Icon', KORP are represented by a gentle, intelligent loop that sounds like a Hocico number.

Glory & Honour signed up this act in 2011, and having never heard of them, I'll admit to being curious, but concerned. I'm still surprised that this is so good - it enters the territory of Dreams Divide, but doesn't quite have the same oopmh to it - but the myriad of styles here can outweigh that con easily.

I've heard Ivan and Josip perform Dark Electro, EBM, Futurepop, Ambient, Gothic Rock, and Electro-Industrial, and they deliver each with real confidence and ability - a skill you simply cannot find in many places.

It's this talent and accessibility which will make this act a name to watch in 2012. My criticisms are perhaps the lack of immediate difference regarding each track, but that's common and not strictly in need of amendment. Mar 08 2012