CD Review: EMIGRATE "EMIGRATE"

EMIGRATE
(self-titled)
Pilgrim/MotorMusic
www.EMIGRATE.eu

Emigrate is an audible infusion that morphs into an edible transfusion. An injection of new musical flavors alongside easy sing-along, and guitar driven grappling hooks. Richard Z. Kruspe of RAMMSTEIN renown is the mastermind behind this original work of art. Each song stands in its own merit where some bring to mind the energy of Therapy?, post punk roots of The Pixies, the crystal clear gothic ringings of Katatonia, digital delay feel of The Sisters of Mercy, with a tinge of Bauhaus and AC/DC.

What makes this very appealing is all the singing is in English. The choruses are easy to pick up and get you singing like you are 18 all over again. But do not be mistaken, EMIGRATE is its own machine, a making of its own kind, an original among clones, a winner amongst competitors, a champion in the industrial rock arena.

The entire disc is brimming full of hot rock ready to pour out on the airwaves, a fire pot ready to launch. Each song is separately crafted apart from each - so that no two songs sound the same, only one at a time. That said it is difficult to just write about a few of the songs, so here the absolute best is represented via this commentary.

Emigrate. The title track is the anthem of Richard Z. Kruspe moving to America . In a recent interview with Richard - the conveyance of a new world, new struggles, new challenges, and new life is presented within earshot of this lyrical masterpiece.

Wake Up. For fans of high energy riff rock, and edgy programming, and MINISTRY influenced intellect, you have this track. The drumming technique is head-on, no tricks - just the constant pounding and beating in the ear canals. For fans of hockey team theme songs, this is for you.

My World. A touch of classic rock song layers, a nice 80s style solo, and a strong flare for MINISTRY's "Just One Fix" type riffage. Ah - what delightful energy, a hyper blast of head banging. 3.14 into the song the bass guitar carries the chorus and makes it more accessible and intriguing. Vocally, Richard does a bang up job.

Let Me Break. Clean guitar tones, thick single string bass lines, load this song with a heavy foundation of swaying and body surfing. Shall we say a sonic mixture of THERAPY? (from Ireland ) and FILTER (Short Bus era). A dose of driving guitars and pummeling drums grab you by the shirt and send you soaring into the crowd of like-minded music enthusiasts.

In My Tears. This is a slow, mournful, pennant work. The mental picture of icy tears, the emotional weight of a departure from one's loved ones, one's homeland, the gaping hole in the heart... yet to be fulfilled. With each new song Richard's vocals improve upon greatness, why has the world not heard him sing before?

Babe. A throwback to the mid 80s UK new wave music scene, a gothic ring to lost love that has been found again. A Shakespearean thought-inducing involvement of honest feelings, emotions, and love for the helpmate. For fans of The Cure's emotional streams of music, regarding instrumentation, this one you shall enjoy. There is only one other musician that surfaces in my mind, that can produce such emotion vocally, Kalim Jacobs of YourLotusKiss.

New York City . Here we have a calming agent to a brand new world, a sedative to an alarming culture shock, a push to get your act in gear. Ah-right, get your hands up and start your Angus Young impression and your three finger posing. Here we have a new breed influenced by the ever-likeable AC/DC. Rock on!

Resolution. Middle-eastern tinged musical introduction via programming or strings - which is it - it does not matter. All that matters is that is the leit motif. The looming ping, the hunger pain in the side, the twitch in your eye, the get up and go in your step. Heavy geared guitars, monster-truck bass lines, fabulous cymbal smashing work. "Take it fast and slow."

Temptation. Mid-paced honesty. A plea, a dire urge to overcome. Musically speaking, this echoes talent past of The Posies (Frosting... era), almost touching on the raw emotion of Dinosaur Jr. A definite, indeed a must-have for any modern music fan.

This Is What. A steadily-fierce driven industrial song. Constant guitar meshing, crowd shots, hypnotic synthetic keys, teaming bass and drum set abuse; for fans of any gothic related music genre. Shall we say Sisters of Mercy?

You can't Get Enough. Probably the one rock-ballad on this disc. Similar in nature to what legendary Scorpions achieve, but in his own right.. Richard Z. modernizes the rock ballad with a current state of emotion address. Clean, bending guitar, smooth drums and bass, and fretting sings - make this another stand out.

Blood. Imagine a molten result of New Order (Republic era) electronic sounds, U2 (War era) guitar chord progressions, Kiss (Alive I era) concert arena vocals, and you have a slight taste of this sweet ear candy.

Help Me. This will send you on your way the long desert drive, just waiting to get there. There - the destination, the impetus for which you search, the catalyst for which you burn energy, the sky is the limit. Orbit yourself around this lyric, then it shall begin to imprint itself on gray matter. A Bauhaus-esque introduction, a gothic string ringing intonation, mother-load has arrived and Elvis has left the building.

Congratulations to Richard Z. for this fire-breathing work of art. Rock on!