Static-X debuted in 1999 with "Wisconsin Death Trip," an album that showed promise that a band might actually take industrial metal to the mainstream with catchy riffs and inherent creativity.
"Push it," while lyrically devoid, was an energizing riff-fest that showcased lead singer/guitarist Wayne Static's ability to take his voice places few have gone. He was using Disturbed lead singer David Draiman's style growls before the world had a chance to hear them.
Their second effort, "Machine," was a fine example of the pop phenomenon known as the sophomore jinx. It was a less than mediocre album. It seemed they had lost what little creativity made "Wisconsin Death Trip" a decent album. They fell into the nu-metal abyss, along with other once-admirable bands like Machine Head and Soulfly.
Their latest release, "Shadow Zone," shows a band trying desperately to claw their way out of that bottomless pit. Opening track "Destroy All" warns of what's to come, lyrically. Predictable odes to agony and pseudo-threats about the temptation to do harm pollute the album.
The appeal of Static-X has never been their lyrics, though. Their unique sense of rhythm has taken the band everywhere that it's been, including the Family Values Tour, the zenith of pop metal. On "Shadow Zone" the band re-discovers the type of riffs that they misplaced in the making of "Machine."
No track illustrates this quite like "Monster." The unimaginable pace, aided by the use of a sampled beat stuns the listener into paying attention. Static's ability to keep pace with a vocal syllable for every strike of the drums was showcased previously on the title track to "Wisconsin Death Trip," and is still striking.
Unfortunately, the band cannot wholly rely on their rhythmic prowess. In order to be interesting, they would need to develop interesting melodies and harmonies as well, but have shown time and again they lack that talent. That, or they would need to come up with more than their current maximum of three riffs per track. Static-X could make an interesting math-metal band if they implemented at least half a dozen time signatures in every song.
Static-X: "Shadow Zone"
Released: Oct. 7th
Label: Warner Bros.
Grade: C-
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
