ZCluster - SHELL

In 2022 ZCluster emerged with their album “The Rapture” which I gave a good score and, though it had a few flaws, was certainly a starting point for what I consider an up-and-coming act. Some quiet time came after that as ZCluster toiled away in their studio and we’ve now come to a point where ZCluster has released a brand-new single titled ‘SHELL’. If you’ve heard them before, it’s more or less what you’ve come to expect from the duo: dirty industrial rock. And by dirty industrial rock I mean a pretty mean percussion complete with a nice kickdrum, electronic synths drizzling in a little razzle dazzle, and a moody atmosphere. This four-and-a-half-minute track sees ZCluster give it their all as they even have room for a couple of breakdowns, one riddled with angst and the other sounding like a cry for help. 

I think that what bothers me about this song is the vocals, or maybe not the vocals in entirety, but their lack of flow with the song. The grittier, grudge-having solo vocals often come off as if they’re doing their own thing and not really conforming with the beat. Which is quite odd considering that the dual vocals and some of the whispering throughout the track fit right on in with the industrial beats. Hell, even during a bit of a breakdown around the three-minute and twenty-second mark is ZCluster right on track with some squealing that sounds as if the band is being tortured. But as soon as the tougher, solo vocals come in it takes me out of the track. 

Quite honestly, the vocals that I complain about me that I take the single down a notch in comparison to “The Rapture”. But, hell, if it wasn’t for that, I think I’d be rating it just about the same.