Coriolis Review
Posted by RNS Robot on September 25th, 2009
Coriolis
s/t
Youngside Records
11 tracks / 50:44
www.myspace.com/coriolis
It’s tempting to give Pennsylvania-based Coriolis a free pass simply because they’re playing industrial metal, a style this reviewer loves, but has disappointingly faded from even the fringes of the mainstream since the mid-nineties. Fortunately, the group – brainchild of founder Jonathan P. Stamets – is much more than some hackneyed “tribute” band. Opening track “Between the Wheels” and the horror-movie themed “Resurrection Night” perfectly synthesize Circle of Dust-esque programming with the the heavier, more pronounced guitar work of Rammstein. However, Stamets is not afraid to display a more melodic – albeit still synth-heavy and gothic – side to his music, as he does on “Hypothetical Life” and “Adopting the Stillborne.” Fitting the style of music, the lyrical content is dark and macabre (and occasionally political), with a healthy dose of sarcasm to even things out; yet Stamet’s personal faith shines through the gloom.
One of the best tracks is the hypnotic, more minimalist “Demigod,” with its echoing snare fills and gentle, eerie beeps… when the guitars at last kick in over three minutes into the song and the vocal harmonies begin, the “feeling” appears – the hair-on-the-back-of-the-neck-rising sensation that can only come when a song truly ventures into “awesome” territory. But just when you think you have Coriolis figured out, Stamets tosses in a non-traditional (in industrial metal, at least) instrument like the pennywhistle, most prominently featured in the cinematic “The Paladin’s Tale.” It’s easy to imagine a stoic David Carradine striding across the land to the mystically heroic, yet strangely serene orchestration. While not a perfect album (what is, really?), Coriolis is a welcome find on the independent scene. Striking a balance between accessibility and the off-putting trappings that come with the genre, Coriolis will intrigue both old-school industrial fans and those who missed out the first time through. All the group needs is a strong follow-up record to prove that Coriolis is a truly viable modern rock act – not just a nostalgic one-off.
Tags: 2005 Releases, 2009 Releases, Coriolis, Industrial, Youngside Records
[...] you’ve read my recent review of Coriolis, you’ll know that I love THE INDUSTRIAL. Band frontman Jonathan P Stamets recently chatted [...]
[...] Festival, after reading they were “influenced by Circle of Dust.” Picked up their first album and followed up by doing an interview with frontman Jonathan StametsWith KLANK making a comeback [...]