Tri-State - Tri-Wired World, Part 1

Tri-State return with another dose of self-released symphonic dark electro conjured from the door steps of desolation and human frailty.

We pick up right where 'Light The Khaos Within' left off. Again, not on Electro-Aggression Records, but rather in cooperation with EAR. 'Tri-Wired World , Part 1' comes in two versions. There is the ultra limited version of only 55 copies made which contains a 6 panel digipak not found on the standard version.

Although this is not all new material, there are 5 new tracks as well as some previously unreleased versions of older tracks, some remixes and rare versions as well. This, as the title suggests is part 1 of a planned 3 part document of Tri-State. Part 2 & 3 will be unleashed in the near future as a double CD with loads of new and remixed tunes.

Tri-State kick off the album with more of their grim, clandestine and insalubrious themes. "The Unspoken Word" takes us deep within the woods where a ritual is performed incorporating the use of rune interpretation and forms of cantillation. I'm not sure what the unspoken word is, but it has something to do with power. I get an evil vibe, but the lyrics always have a deeper meaning that stays imprisoned in the mind of the author. "The Unspoken Word" is a brand new track that peels back any layers of light with a composition that sets the stage and truly defines the soul of Tri-State. The menacing male vocals are complimented by the beautiful angelic female voice while the music slowly rolls the carefully crafted beats that pull the listener deep into Tri-State's cell of blissful capitulation. "Deep Inside" is another new track along with "Twenty One Grams", "The Black Hole" and "The Last Grain Of Sand". "Twenty One Grams" really stands out with its very slow and mournful electro pulsations paralleled with extremely dark subject matter, that seems revolve around losing a child during pregnancy. The angelic female voice reveals the story, but also gives hints of transformation beyond the physical body. This theme was also present on 'Light The Khaos Within' on 2 tracks, "Genelaw" and "Shades Of Dead-White" . "Deep Inside" and "The Black Hole" both hold their own as powerful examples of what an artist can do to stay inside the borders of their trademark sound and still produce fresh offerings. Although I am clueless to what "The Black Hole" is about, musically it is cold and saturated with interesting programming and sounds capable of lowering body temperatures .

The bulk of this release contains remixes that span over the last 14 years. The original versions can be found on the previous 2 albums. The remix that I was most anxious to experience was Object's "Synopsis (Hidden Creatures)". It unveils a wonderful dark vibe with blood boiling vocals and intricate programming sure to tease your sonic cravings for more Object. Another nice mix comes via the track "Causes Of Death" from 2001. The guitars add a different feel to a familiar song from 'Light The Khaos Within'. With recent remixes from Disharmony and Framework digging deeper into the sound manipulation, the listener is treated more versions of Tri-State's solid arsenal of devastating ear-bending symphonic compositions.

Although most of the tracks on this CD are previously released in their earlier versions, the remixes are not throw aways or extras just looking a landing place. Each remix is quality music that offers something the other versions do not. The new tracks shed light on the future offerings that we will hopefully will see on parts 2 & 3.

Tri-State are amongst the best out there in the realms they occupy. In a genre where it's hard to stand out, Tri-State find a way to keep it together drawing on the past and smashing the boundaries of the present. Mar 21 2015