DEADSTAR ASSEMBLY
"Unsaved"
(Pure Records; 2006)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
I’m not one to consciously pick techno/electronica-related music of any kind off my shelves – I guess I like my music mostly organic. Yet somehow I find time to listen to acts like …And Oceans and local heroes Twenty Ripped Angel. So … when the opportunity arises I don’t find myself dismayed at the ‘responsibility’ for reviewing acts like Deadstar Assembly.
“Unsaved” contains a strong set of tunes that hits squarely at a demographic that seems to have and endless supply of disposable income – either that or ridiculously high credit limits. Anyway, Deadstar Assembly sound like veterans rather than newbies – “Unsaved” is saturated with catchy riffs, infectious grooves, and diverse vocals overflowing with emotion.
The sound that Deadstar Assembly creates is best left to the underground yet there is commercial appeal in every track. To be honest, I hear a healthy dose of melodicism not always evident in bands plying their trade in the techno genre – now that is sonic proof of something more akin to pandering to the middle ground that the record buying late teens and young adults that this record appeals to.
“Unsaved” won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is done well.
“Unsaved” was produced by Deadstar Assembly and Jeremy Staska (Poison the Well, Remembering Never).
Deadstar Assembly: Dearborn on vocals and assorted mayhem, Dreggs on guitar and digital manipulation, The Dro on bass and various electronics and Cygnus on drums.
For more information visit http://www.deadstar.com/.
"Unsaved"
(Pure Records; 2006)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
The Deadstar Assembly gospel is quite simple: they need you to spread the word. With a combination of Static-X, NIN, Slipknot and Marilyn Manson, DSA appeal to the Goth metal world in a way that will keep Max Factor eyeliner in business for a very long time. When listening to their brand of metal,
it might be wise to listen just a little at a time in order to best inoculate yourself.
Each track has that industrial metal sound but each one mirrors a different
artist. For example, “Unsaved Part II” sounds like Static-X while “Naïve” sounds like Orgy. Although they may sound like those who have come before them,
DSA do project a forward-moving sound that could keep them on top.
"Unsaved" may catapult Deadstar Assembly into a position that is not being held by anybody right now. Fans of the above-mentioned bands will surely enjoy the energy put forth by DSA. There is a familiar sound,
but a different vibe, to "Unsolved."
No particular cuts stand out here, but the disc is solid all the way through.
Deas: Cygnus – percussion/bloodsucking; The Dro – subsonic tremors/pyro; Dearborn – vox/sequencing/guitars/orchestrated mayhem; Mubo – synthesizer/circuitry/electronic messiah; Dreggs – crunch guitar/digital anarchy.
Deadstar Assembly: Dearborn on vocals and assorted mayhem, Dreggs on guitar and digital manipulation, The Dro on bass and various
electronics and Cygnus on drums.
For more information visit http://www.deadstar.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2006 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 04 Mar 2024 13:27:28 -0500.
