SMP - Death of the Format
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The undisputed industrial veterans SMP remained silent for the past two years but fans and genre aficionados will not be disappointed with the effects of their focused efforts, that materialized this summer in the shape of Death of the Format. Ninth album since band's début in 1995 in some ways brings them full circle and relies on SMP's staple fusion of hip-hop, electronica and corrosive rock textures and provides listeners with an explosive experience both retro and fresh; sounds that are definitely not mass produced and caustic with angst of the entire musical generation.
If their first release Stalemate coined its personality in the fire of unrefined and raw methods, Death of the Format released courtesy of WTII Records seems to take pride in returning the audience to several seemingly outdated tropes of the 90's with all the precision of contemporary music production. Hip-hop vocals that open the record on 'In Your Blood' play out to the canvas of samples and bouncing low-key beats and albeit predictably old school in their appeal, successfully emphasize track's lyrical content. More melodic but no less resonant is 'Somebody Dissin' You' that achieves a perfect synergy of glitch laden soundscape filled with rage of the words. But Sounds of Mass Production quickly counter with a powerful electro/rock hit 'Metal Madness' that brings a desired edge and intensity to band's oeuvre. Gritty and rich in grinding mechanic sounds, track echoes throughout the entire album making it a possible instant hit, made even more effective thanks to ambient like quality of slowly paced drums and synths of following 'Endlust' that in turn transform into fury of guitar heavy 'Earthlight' and hyper ascetic formula of 'What's Wrong with You'.
In recognition of their strengths and their potential SMP is not afraid to challenge their method and 'I'm Falling's sublime combination of haunting instrumentation, ominous sampling, lyrics and dirty electronica results in a complex composition that enriches the record with hints of unexpectedly thoughtful flavour that returns on closing 'In the City'.
It is a desired and worthy addition to the catalogue of a band whose career spans genre's tumultuous recent history and in some ways, through line up changes, periods of hiatus and sudden label transitions seems to mirror it. SMP hopefully is here to stay and Death of the Format should remind the listeners why their stylistic consistency and evolving craftsmanship are an important addition to the diverse scene that should not forget and dismiss those elements from its past that once rendered it mighty, even if they are destined to stay in the shadows of contemporary musical alternative. All the parts might be indeed familiar but the construction that is Death of the Format is exciting and powerful.
Track list:
01. In Your Blood
02. Metal Madness
03. Endlust
04. Somebody Dissin' You (Feat. Tranq)
05. I'm Falling
06. Earthlight
07. Still Sick
08. What's Wrong with You (Feat. Jason Porter)
09. In the City
If their first release Stalemate coined its personality in the fire of unrefined and raw methods, Death of the Format released courtesy of WTII Records seems to take pride in returning the audience to several seemingly outdated tropes of the 90's with all the precision of contemporary music production. Hip-hop vocals that open the record on 'In Your Blood' play out to the canvas of samples and bouncing low-key beats and albeit predictably old school in their appeal, successfully emphasize track's lyrical content. More melodic but no less resonant is 'Somebody Dissin' You' that achieves a perfect synergy of glitch laden soundscape filled with rage of the words. But Sounds of Mass Production quickly counter with a powerful electro/rock hit 'Metal Madness' that brings a desired edge and intensity to band's oeuvre. Gritty and rich in grinding mechanic sounds, track echoes throughout the entire album making it a possible instant hit, made even more effective thanks to ambient like quality of slowly paced drums and synths of following 'Endlust' that in turn transform into fury of guitar heavy 'Earthlight' and hyper ascetic formula of 'What's Wrong with You'.
In recognition of their strengths and their potential SMP is not afraid to challenge their method and 'I'm Falling's sublime combination of haunting instrumentation, ominous sampling, lyrics and dirty electronica results in a complex composition that enriches the record with hints of unexpectedly thoughtful flavour that returns on closing 'In the City'.
It is a desired and worthy addition to the catalogue of a band whose career spans genre's tumultuous recent history and in some ways, through line up changes, periods of hiatus and sudden label transitions seems to mirror it. SMP hopefully is here to stay and Death of the Format should remind the listeners why their stylistic consistency and evolving craftsmanship are an important addition to the diverse scene that should not forget and dismiss those elements from its past that once rendered it mighty, even if they are destined to stay in the shadows of contemporary musical alternative. All the parts might be indeed familiar but the construction that is Death of the Format is exciting and powerful.
Track list:
01. In Your Blood
02. Metal Madness
03. Endlust
04. Somebody Dissin' You (Feat. Tranq)
05. I'm Falling
06. Earthlight
07. Still Sick
08. What's Wrong with You (Feat. Jason Porter)
09. In the City
