Roughhausen - Throb

Considering the high profile of Front Line Assembly, I've never quite worked out why Jeff Stoddard's 'Roughhausen' hasn't really made it big.
Admittedly, it's not your conventional sound, but for anyone who likes chaotic, intense Industrial, angry electronics, and batshit crazy sounds, JS is your messiah.

After 2008's 'Agony of the Beat', I can't see anything JS puts out improving on it, but the intro to this EP, 'Das Schnappi' appears to be just waiting to prove me wrong. The synth and bass that fill the track are as destructive as they are hypnotic, and the vocal work is seriously heavy. This is what Nine Inch Nails could have been if Trent was angrier, and more fucked up.

'Fuk U Too' (sic) is a little quieter, and it's underlying aggression and intensity can easily snare those who turn their speakers up - this is Guitar-laden, and JS' riffs are excellent. Lyrically, this could have come from 'Antichrist Superstar', but this is the real deal - no selling out, no compromise, just a big, throbbing middle finger.

Sources tell me that Stoddard is living in Taiwan these days, and there are the subtlest of hints of oriental culture and society in this record, yet it remains a suburban, almost ghetto-like in its attitude and appearance.

'Miasma' is my personal favourite, and although the production doesn't allow for the clearest of sounds, this EP is actually very well written, the musicianship is flawless, and it's quite technical and above its time.

'DeBasement' (possible play on words of the Pixies' "Debaser"?), and 'Hipster Douche' lay the final foundations in Roughhausen's lair of vitriol, and to be honest, Industrial is supposed to be this angry.

Under-rated act, and a fantastic EP. Mar 24 2012