reakt[ion] - Attrition

I've waited for an official release by Wes Mueller, recording under the name reak[tion], since discovering this act on Myspace in 2010. Released through bandcamp, Attrition is a 5 track EP which offers us some very strong Industrial indeed.

Starting with the vocals, I'm reminded of Divine Infekt style stuff, but without the Metal onus and scratchy sounds that Nero delivered. These remind me of acts like Reaxion Guerrilla and Dawn of Ashes. Wes seems to have it all - 'Sinner (Harbinger Mix)' is pretty outstanding as openers go - the samples are few, effective, and original, the vocals are spot on, and the beat changes pace enough to be of maximum effect. Timing is excellent, and I wonder if my earlier hype will prove to be correct.

Tracks 2 and 3, 'Human' and 'Fall' are the two I was already familiar with, and ideal choices to sit on this EP. 'Human' is, as it always was, just as explosive as a Molotov Cocktail, and that main synth loop just claws and mutilates its way into your mind.

'Fall' (should reak[tion] prove to take off), is likely to be Wes' equivalent of 'Flat-Line', 'Hellraiser' , and 'Mother Hunger'. It doesn't quite lack the immediate unique sound and technique that the above acts have, but it's a fiery beast of a track.

With 'Parasite', we get the only track on this EP that I didn't previously know of, and annoyingly, it almost puts 'Fall' to shame...this is just textbook, dancefloor filling, aggressive EBM. If you want a miracle, it isn't here. If you want something so new and powerful that it hurts, it isn't here. If you're looking to get a damned good reak[tion], then you've found the guy to do it.

I'll let you discover the final track, 'Soulless' by yourselves, but I've got a good feeling about this act. To Bandcamp! Aug 24 2011