Search - Numb :: Christmeister

Excellent aggro-electro

dark ash | VA, USA | 04/28/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

""christmeister" is a great example of aggro-industrial done right -- imagine skinny puppy's "rabies", ministry's "stigmata" and some of numb's own earlier more soundtrack-oriented work popped into a blender, cyanide-ice cubes popped in, and speed set on "stun". the percussion is heavy and relentless and really sounds "industrial" in its purest sense (lots of clangy noises + pumping drum machine sounds of the era), and the guitars rage with the best of 'em. but interestingly, while the straight songs rock hard, the more ambient tracks are very refined and creepy (and purely electronic) and in the same vein as SP's ambient work (or more recently charlie clouser's SAW scores). this album formed quite an impression on me when i first heard it in 1990 and since it's largely free of industrial cliches other than the expected (screaming distorted vox, etc) it's held up very well over the years. definitely one to get if you're a fan of the electronics / aggro guitar sound of SP's "rabies". BTW unlike a lot of industrial music from 15 years ago the album is excellently-produced and mixed, with a dense yet clear sound, and sounds great over headphones."