16volt [reviews]
Updated by Draconina on 02/07/2008 22:38
American Porn Songs |Metropolis, 2009|

1. Alkali, 2. Enjoy The Pain, 3. With Fire And Burning, 4. American Porn Song, 5. Blessed, 6. To Hell, 7. It All Turns Bad, 8. Blackbird, 9. The Lord Doesn’t Want Her, 10. Become Your None, 11. Can You Find God?, 12. Orange Insect, 13. Useless People, 14. Somebody To Hate, 15. American Bomb Song

It always makes me happy if there are bands supporting the industrial rock scene constantly since the early 90s by releasing albums which don't offer a different tune every time but consequently follow what they are known and proud of.
This time it is about 16volt, around which the biggest rivethead's subculture have gathered throughout all those past years, interested in both cold and aggressive yet danceable music.

While the two bands, kind of responsible for a growth of industrial rock scene quit (NIN in 2009, which, to me, stopped making industrial rock albums 9 years ago, and Ministry in 2008, except of good final album they started screwing up their fame with post-death remix album), there's still 16volt in the hall of fame.

16volt is a band with no stable line-up, except for Eric Powell, who's been pushing forward his band for the last 20 years (since 1988) with cool ideas, shows and big labels support (what is kind of unique when it comes to industrial rock) and never crossed that line between pop and alternative. There were some personal changes to FullBlackHabit released in w 2008 r. but some of the musicians remained in the band.

And so American Porn Songs features these musicians: Mike Peoples (16volt, Skrew), Steve “Pig” White (KMFDM, Pig, Schaft), Scott Robison (Dr0ne), Jason Bazinet (SMP, 64k), Sean Payne (Cyanotic), Joseph Bishara (16volt, Marilyn Manson, NIN, Prong, Bauhaus, Jane's Addiction, but also soundtracks for Crow, Mortal Combat, Repo!), Tim Skold (Shotgun Messiah, Skold, Marilyn Manson), Bildeaux Sarver (Ohn), James Hall, Jeremy Inkel (Left Spine Down, Frontline Assembly), Marc Lacorte (16volt, Chemlab, Powerman 5000).

Enough? Well, with this amount of people the album could either come out great (thanks to cooperation and experience) or bad (a lot of individuals with their typical play styles). It's your task now to judge after buying the album and listening to.
On the side note, if the present line-up survives we'd get another super-band a size of Pigface, Revolting Cocks, Dessau or H3llb3nt.

It's kind of difficult to me to listen to a new album without comparing to the previous releases, however it lets me get a wider perspective so the final review turns out objective. It's different to reviewing debut albums of other bands when I can't look back.

To resolve your burning questions - American Porn Songs IS an extension of FullBlackHabit and so that would already suggest its content.
It's a long album though. There are 15 songs recorded between 2008 and 2009, while Eric had started this job right after releasing FullBlackHabit and promotional tour for that album. Moreover, since its pre-sale and previews placed on the band's Myspace profile player the album has been getting very good reviews in music magazines of any kind.

And frankly I didn't like the previews that much, besides its low quality offered by Myspace, also I wasn't that much into the album when I initially got it from Metropolis. It was growing on me during the next few days and finally I let it go on the headphones without being focused on any certain songs. That worked well. Some of the songs hit my ears, others stayed more in the background, but it's definitely the album where most of you should find cool stuff, no matter what kind of music you normally listen to
I always prefer simple, heavy, powerful songs with live bass, a wall of guitars and gloomy electronics but others may like it because of juicy melodies and moods like they usually happen to 90% of 16volt albums; “It All Turns Bad” and partly „Blackbird” are just examples for above.

There are a few songs which drew my attention at once, like these classic guitar driven industrial-rock songs “The Lord Doesn’t Want Her” and „With Fire And Burning” (both remind me Filter's music), “Become Your None” (besides it has the typical 16volt vibe, I am sure I came across this guitar motif elsewhere, was that some NIN song? ;)), “Orange Insect” (not that it says 'orange' only but there's that wall of sound used!) and “Somebody To Hate” (Motorhead „Aces of Spades”-like tempo and initial drums like in “Gave Up” NIN).

Stunning „Can You Find God?” recalls me those early and aggressive NIN influences but only when it comes to the moods. If you remember such a great and meaningful to industrial rock style album like The Downword Spiral with „Reptile” song is, so you'll have an image of what I've found in „Can You Find God?”.

All of above have that dynamic yet aggressive content thanks to skillfully warming up the sound by edgy guitar riffs and disquieting but very well arranged electronics.

There are also two songs already known from previous 16volt releases but rearranged this time – „Alkali” with a bit faster and aggressive version to the original released on “Primal Combat” video game soundtrack and „American Porn Song” which appeared as „American Porn Song (Glitch Itch Mix v1.)” thanks to cooperation between Cyanotic and 16volt, released on GlitchMode's Hordes of the Elite in 2006.

The most intriguing song I have ever heard from 16volt, “American Bomb Song” is placed at the end of the album and it's also one of the shortest; it lasts only 2 minutes 30 seconds. It's about the same trick NIN made in their „Violent Fluid”. I wish I could hear the song extended because it was growing so good but Reznor never made it that way on his next releases. Perhaps there's charm of both songs hidden. The vibes of the songs are similar too, with mystic moods in a cloud of samples, alarming ambiance and this typical motif 'sliding' on the tracks.

On the final note, there's one thing what worries me about „Useless People” and „American Porn Song” - the same drum beats which become just impersonal and flat when repeated.

Actually the highest asset of American Porn Songs is not only the songs content but their production. The album involves very experienced musicians who undoubtedly brought high quality work no matter if they co-worked in one recording studio or on-line. Thanks to them, all of those additional sound filling in the spaces enriched the songs structures.
I'm convinced it won't be hard for Eric to cut through what he has made so far with the next album release, whether he's going to have other aces hidden in his tattooed hands or he's going to make the album alone.

Songs from American Porn Songs should warm you up through incoming winter days. Moreover they should satisfy not only die-hard fans of 16volt and industrial rock music but all other listeners as well.

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz. Not for a commercial use. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)
American Porn Songs |Metropolis Records, 2009|

Alkali, Enjoy The Pain, With Fire and Burning, American Porn Song, Blessed, To Hell, It Turns All Bad, Blackbird, The Lord Doesn’t Want Her, Become Your None, Can You Find God?, Orange Insect, Useless People, Somebody To Hate, American Bomb Song

Quite possibly the most anticipated release of 2009, 16 Volt's American Porn Songs, has finally been unleashed on industrial's rock based salivating fans. The resulting disc of 15 hard driving, industrial laced hard rock and metal tracks is not only satisfying, but has an exceptionally polished sound that proves that 16 Volt are at the top of their game. Opening the disc is "Alkali," a mid-tempo track that churns in to a wall of guitar assault, grasping at the listeners backbone and forcing them to shout along to its infectious chorus.

As the opening track fades, the evil cynicism and snakelike wit that listeners have come to appreciate and expect from 16 Volt's almost two decade existence pushes deep in to the ears of the listener, unfolding to reveal a biting sing along chorus, sweet in it's harmonies but knifelike and stabbing as it concludes it's sinister message. This is the savage way of "Enjoy the Pain," and never has physical injury sounded so good before.

"With Fire and Burning" blazes a familiar yet seemingly uncharted territory for 16 Volt. A track with copious amounts of saccharine pressured and tempered by soaring guitar lines and a sense of underlying sadness. It's a track that sinks sagaciously in to the psyche, inadvertently finding the listener jockeying for ways to sing along to the track long before the song fades away, after only the first listen!

The title track is a familiar rendition that has been in the 16 Volt archives for many years, but with the help of long time and more recent associates of the 16 Volt camp, it gets a welcome update. Forged in blood and seedy dystopian ideals, "American Porn Songs" is a damaging dissection of archaic and foul idealism hidden by glossy exteriors and diversions of grandeur in excess.

As the disc begins to crest, "Blessed" drives a post hardcore sleekness of the verse across a thick bass driven melody, accompanied by a drop tuned wall of guitars, followed by a street tough chorus delivered by an army of angry vocalists. Involuntarily pumps of the fist at the conclusion of the line "I'm so blessed by your presence" is a natural reaction and should not be repressed.

Perhaps the most playful song on American Porn Songs is "To Hell." By incorporating break beat and electronic zeal, the selection sells itself on not only it's up-tempo, club-like, dance-in-your-chair attitude, but also on it's ability to show that 16 Volt is forward thinking. And having a band that is comfortable NOT rehashing its coldwave roots is not only refreshing, but also beneficial to its sustainability and inevitable longevity.

16 Volt is not all about blistering the listener with relentless assaults on the body and ears, but for capturing sentimentality, darkness and imploring the audience to reflect on their very existence, even if it is dark and depressing. So when "Turns All Bad" breaks the unrelenting guitar assault, the breather at the center of the disc captures an epic sadness with uplifting choruses rife with desolation and isolation. Has 16 Volt gone emo? Hardly.

If the blistering rock dance on this disc can't contribute a memorable lyric or melody by this point, then "Blackbird" is certain to change all of that. A compelling head bobbing groove ensues upon the song's opening, and an angsty drive and abrasive motivation are found here, rich in all its glory.

Industrial music isn't really known for creating memorable songs that rely on odd time signatures, since the 4/4 beat replicated around a pulsing mechanical sound tends to move the feet much more easily in normal life and club oriented situations. But leave it to Eric Powell and company to throw a track like "The Lord Doesn't Want Her" at the listener, and make it work.

As the disc moves along at its quickening pace, "Become Your None" hits full force like a sledgehammer in a china shop. It is uncompromising and heavy in its delivery, plodding along with its assembly line rhythmic pulse, crushing rather convincingly with each turn of the measure.

Questions abound and are plentifully asked by the next track "Can You Find God?" a weighty track both in sound and lyrical content. Challenges to conventional institutions and a plea for zealots to check themselves at the door, as well as personal analysis within the confines of the divine and theological barriers in past and modern society give this song 16 Volt's most daring inquisition to date. The tracks brooding psychedelic electronic foundation helps add to the mysterious disposition of the track, an unsettling feeling not lost on this reviewer, even after dozens of listens.

Such unsettling themes don't run their course yet, as the weird lyrical allusion to the "Orange Insect" casts a shadowy pall over the broken relationships and shattered dreams weaved so intricately over a crushing, windowpane shaking guitar riff.

And what would a 16 Volt album be without exposing a general despise and loathing for a segment of the population that holds back those of us who strive for a better life? Can we move forward without acknowledging our own faults, or do we have to be guided like sheep by seemingly infallible leaders of our lies-driven society? Or can we just find these people and tell them "Fuck You!!" According to "Useless People," we most certainly can.

Before the album closes out with the equivalent of an atomic audio bomb (complete with a rhythmic drive intertwined with a meticulously dark electro tempo), "Somebody to Hate" becomes an absolute barnburner. With its pile driving, cement cracking, drop tuned, runaway freight train, moshpit inducing, electro punk mayhem, it serves as the perfect cap to a set already rife with memorable tracks.

The core of Eric Powell, Mike Peoples and John Servo DeSalvo, are joined by a thoroughly seasoned cast of characters that essentially make up a relevant sampling of artists from the present and future of industrial rock. The disc features appearances by Steve White (KMFDM), Scott Robison (Drone, New Slaves), Jason Bazinet (SMP), Bildeaux Sarver (Ohn), Tim Skold, Sean Payne (Cyanotic), Jeremy Inkel (Left Spine Down), Joe Bishara and Marc Lacorte, a collection that would make any collaborator jealous.

Quite possibly the finest release in the 16 Volt catalog due to its high production value, quality song structure and overall infectious nature of all of the tracks as a combined unit, American Porn Songs is a must have for the 16 Volt purist as well as those looking for a way to get introduced to 16 Volt's glitched out testosterone laced world. (Joseph Graham)

FullBlackHabit |Metropolis Records, 2007|

I’m Just A Mess,Come For You,Cables and Wires,Suffering You,And You Are All Alone Again,The End Of It All,Afterglow,Feel It Through,The Defect People,The Error,You Run,Whisper Cure,Therapy

The content of the album is a mature one in every of its aspects. It's not only an association to FullMetalJacket name but seems like Eric Powell reconned up with his music fascinations and ideas, to find a golden mean what finally led him to create an album with a variety of songs, modern and fresh but still recognized as a 16volt's venture. I can hear influences from Gary Numan, Ministry, new NIN, still edgy but also mellow, electronic songs, I guess inspired by Eric's cooperation with bands like Ringer or Ohn.

16volt's music has been always somewhere among infantileness, sweetness and aggression. Eric kids with the listeners in some moments but he quickly makes us realize he's serious. This album is truly industrial-rock orientated, contains both of the style features, extended by a few add-ons of other styles (listen to samples in Cables and Wires).

Suffering You it's a song placed on SuperCoolNothing 2.0 album released in 2002 tho in a slightly remixed version put out on FullBlackHabit 7 years later with additional guitrs and bass parts by Kraig Tyler (Chemlab).

I have 4 favourites from that album. Defect People was one of the songs published at 16volt's Myspace profile as a teaser for the incoming album featuring Paul Raven (bass, Prong, Ministry, ex Killing Joke), Steve White (guitar, KMFDM) and Jason Bazinet (drums, SMP, 64K).
The second pearl is And You Are All Alone Again, with dynamical rhythm and a few soft refrains. The third is The Error, of which short samples I heard before the album release and those samples gave me an idea the song would be one of the best on the album. Indeed, it's an old well known 16volt with his aggressive vibe, typical for the band guitar riffs and a few new add-ons standing for the band's progress.
If you're not a fan of band's suggested tracklistings, make The Error a starting point for the album auditioning.
The last favourite of mine is Come For You, very rhythmic, where sweetness is mingled with brutality what leads to a surprising and awakening result. This is the song what my ears caught and kept for a longer time after the first album listening but at the same time it didn't become boring. I guess the song is too short still, but with its structure if longer would lose an attractiveness.

A total hit for all radio stations as well as the incoming live shows will be Therapy song with its chilling out down vibe what will be a nice interlude after all that aggressive songs like The Error, Come For You or Defect People mentioned above. Therapy is kept in ballad-esque motive with interesting samples, softer than others but don't find it emo! ;) If I am right I've heard some exotic instruments used for the song so that would be a great idea to use them more in the background for the next 16volt release. Can you remember Hizbollah by Ministry? That's what I'm thinking about.
The End of It All reminds me a new NIN vibe and the title of the song is somewhat remarkable too. The other kind of alternative song with a catchy refrain and easy to remember tunes is called You Run and should be a hit during the live shows as well I suppose.

The apogee of an interest in industrial rock style of music came between 1990-1996, but since 2 or 3 years it's been observed a return of bands and a growing interest in the style. It's not only about Chicago and Texas, or other places in the USA where the style was born but also new places of a growing interest in industrial rock/metal ventures found in Europe this time and I mean mostly France and Switzerland (Fanoe, Mephistosystem). It's also about an awaking of bands well known in the 90's which came from a longer hiatus to reunite in 2007 and a rising interest of a new generation who needs something both guitars driven and samples enriched.
I was looking for at least one poor song on FullBlackHabit. I haven't found any. Moreover, it's not a surprise the album was a number 1 of Top 10 Metropolis Records Store sellers during a full month! (June - July 2007). Get it and check out!

(Katarzyna 'NINa' Górnisiewicz. Not for a commercial use. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Supercoolnothing |Slipdisc/Mercury, 1998|

I Fail Truth,Everyday Everything,Don't Pray,Keep Sleeping,Moutheater, Happy Pill,The Enemy,Machine Kit,Low,And I Go,Dead Weight,At The End

It's an industrial rock in all of its features. Clear, specific, and aggressive. Can be compared to Rorschach Test or Gravity Kills but sharpen a lot. Bring Keep Sleeping to play in any radio show but the rest is non commercial and ass-kicking. I'm not sure if the song called Low has to be placed on THIS album, sorta joke..?( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Wisdom |Re-Constriction, 1993|

Motorskill,Wisdom,Head of Stone,Filthy Love of Fire,Hand Over End, Will,Dreams of Light,Downtime Part One

I've never heard any album what can addict me from the very first rehearsal. The first song - Motorskill - it's an insane song with an industrial background, precise guitar riffs, cold beats and lots of dynamics included. I was afraid such a drive can finish after that one song but hell, no! Wisdom kicks ass in every of its aspect and can be compared only to The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste by Ministry. Listen to Head of Stone (the second kick after Motorskill!), Filthy Love of Fire or Will. The second part of Downtime song is placed on Skin album. ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Skin |Re-Constriction, 1994|

Skin,Perfectly Fake,Uplift,Slow Wreck,Skin Graft,Stitched,Built To Last,Bottle Rockets,Downtime Part Two,Flick,Dead Skin

Fast drive, varies from industrial to metal music plus industrial rock of course and a bit of noise at the very end. The best song is Perfectly Fake. ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)


Letdowncrush |Re-Constriction, 1999|

Swarn,The Dreams That Rot In Your Heart,A Cloth Like Gauze,Something left,The Cut Collector,Crush,Breed,Two Wires Thin,Shameface,Carla's Tarantulas

I got an impression that the musicians looked for the most suitable vibes here. As if the can't decide if they should play either extremelly guitar driven or electronic for the media use. There is a song called Crush what I love the most but you can find Two Wires Thin, Something Left, and The Cut Collector interesting also. ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Demography |Slipdisc/Mercury, 2000|

Imitation,Hang Your Head,Hate Rivet,To Another World,Darkest Before Dawn,Sister Friday,Out of Time,Free People,Speedpig,Too Late,This,I Make It Rain

It's a greeting to Ministry and their two albums The Land of Rape and Honey and Twitch. A similar way of sampling became a good pattern to use it into 16volt music. Demography sounds a way hermetic with lots of electronics, less of raw guitars, more of bass sound. There are two songs which somehow don't fit to the album - Too Late and I Make It Rain but Darkest Before Dawn but Hate Rivet sounds cool. ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Supercoolthing V 2.0 |Dark City Music, 2002|

At The End (Club Mix),Happy Pill (Durtee Mix),Keep Sleeping (Radio Edit),Low (Filtered Mix),Suffering You (Demo Version),Plastic Blue (Demo Version)

2 CDs set contain songs released earlier in 1998, unreleased demos and remixes made by such bands like Filter, Orgy or Crazy Town. It's a set directed rather to the collectors of 16volt music but the demo song called Suffering You (Demo Version) shows a claw of 16volt, so well known on its previously released records. ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

Imitation Demo |1991|
Imitation,Hang Your Head,Hate Rivet

The songs come from a demo tape released as 16volt debut material in 1991. Those 3 songs were placed on Demography album 9 years later. Lots of aggro-electro music with industrial rock vibe in a cloud of pollution ;) ( Katarzyna NINa Górnisiewicz. Must not be used for promotional or commercial purposes. See a Legal Note for the copyrights below)

http://www.16volt.com | Discogs