Virus Filter - Virus Filter EP

I first heard Virus Filter from the 'Don't Mess With Industrial' compilation CD from last year with the track "Serial Killers Anthem" and was quite reasonably pleased to hear some good honest harsh electronic music. Virus Filter, from Texas, was founded back in 2007 under the name Liquid Neon and in October of 2011, they released their 6 track self-titled EP.

The EP follows a very 'classic' harsh sound with bouncy beats and rigorous Synths compiled with distorted harsh vocals and aggressive or unpleasant lyrics. However many times this has been done it's always done slightly differently and still manages to please me with it's distincivenes. Overall quality of the album is strong and track holds that little 'something' to keep in your memory. They describe their sound as influenced by "The daily struggles of life associated with mental pain and pleasures" and it is clear to hear that their music portrays that feeling well.

"Sex Labratory", I feel deserved a special mention, I'm not sure how to explain but the longer synthesised sounds around the chorus really brought to life the atmosphere and that alongside the droned almost robotic-melancholy vocal edits seemed to add that little bit more too.

"Serial Killers Anthem" really brought back my admiration for Dawn of Ashes's early work, in a way, Virus Filter are a band that reproduce the Dawn of Ashes sound which has now somewhat changed. "Electro Lust" too provided some quite nice lyrics, something that stresses the stuggle of the protagonist, (if that's the correct term) of the track.

"Harliqueen" as a track is different from the rest, not following the traditional harsh theme, but resonating what I'd say some of Psyclon Nine's depressive tones and Third Realm's atmosphere. Not quite sure what to say of the music for now.

Now from my own view, I realise the music they're producing is strong and definitely a pleasurable listen, however I find that the 'generalisability' is too clear and there's nothing too unique from Virus Filter that hasn't already been done before, I could count for hours the bands and acts that produce these harsh sounds but that isn't the aim of this review. The EP is strong, 6 powerful, dance worthy tracks posessing strong vocal and lyrical movement. Reviewing them as they are, they are definitely impressive, however looking at them compared to other artists, I can't help but feel they could have done something differently, managed to create a unique sound, something which will bring them from a "yeah it's okay, I'll listen to it from time to time" to a "oh my goodness, I've never heard anything like this before, I love it!".

I hope my point has gotten across... nothing against Virus Filter, I have to say. The EP is very worthy of a listen and it just may feed your personal appetite for something harsh and heavy, but for me, this EP is just something to pile up with the other harsh acts and I may listen to it again if I feel like a bit of variety.

Overall, a valiant effort, only an EP so plenty of room for change and growth, it may be your cup of tea but I prefer mine with a bit more sugar. Metaphors, how do they work? May 26 2012