Search - 16 Volt :: Wisdom

Words Of Wisdom

indstrialevil | Klamath Falls,OR usa | 04/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the music world, you have much to choose from. From pop stars to rappers, music is used as a tool to gain fame and fortune. However, through the underground scene, music is used as a means of communication, a message about the way things are in society. Wisdom is a great album with excellent structure (as well as some phatty beats) that flows into one great picture. Electrifying sound effects mixed with face melting guitars, make this album Immortal. But dont just take my word for it."

"Man will fall."

skarecreau | San Francisco, CA USA | 12/08/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Of the first three 16 Volt albums, this one is the best -- it's all downhill from here, folks. Unfortunately, 16 Volt seems to be one of those [many] bands, industrial or otherwise, that start off with much vigor and potency but end up getting limp over time (Nine Inch Nails would be a perfect example of this phenomenon as well). In this case, can we blame this on production values? Perhaps, because "Wisdom" was produced by a couple of masters: Keith "Fluffy" Auerbach and Dave Ogilvie (the brother of Skinny Puppy's Nivek Ogre). Their subsequent releases were not so blessed. (Still, "Skin" was okay, but "Letdowncrush" was aptly named). This album has better lyrics, all things considered, and a few tempo tricks up its sleeve, like on "Hand Over End" with its marching band snare beat giving way to louder, crushing percussion. "Motorskill" is probably the most widely-known 16 Volt song that I've come across and is my all-time favorite. "Filthy Love of Fire" has a sinister quality to it, evoked by Eric Powell's whispered and distorted vocals. The title track starts and stops, then starts again like a bad day, yelling in your ear. The other songs are also of a skull-splitting vein that pummels you repeatedly."