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By JEFF MAKI
Industrial metal was at its peak in the early '90s with Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Skinny Puppy, White Zombie, Fear Factory, Powerman 5000 and many other groundbreaking, influential artists. The era seemed to end with Marilyn Manson as one of the last prominent bands using industrial elements. There are still acts out there today, but they are few and far between. Spyder Baby is promoted as a one-man, industrial-punk metal machine and the new album Let Us Prey is similar in style to Ministry, Wednesday 13 and the others mentioned above. In fact, Al Jourgensen has taken Spyder Baby mastermind Stevie Banch under his wing. Jourgensen co-produced the stand-out track of the album, “Bitter,” which sounds like a leftover track from Ministry's classic Psalm 69 album, and also offers a remix here. The Spyder Baby demo Bugs Crawl In caught Uncle Al's attention in 2004. That song is also here. Like his influences, Banch is pictured on the album sleeve decked out in makeup, dreadlocks, piercings and fishnets. He looks like he belongs in NIN circa 1994. Not that it's a bad thing.
It's the rock n' roll flair and punk-rock attitude of Banch Baby that sets this album slightly ahead of the curve of other industrial albums in recent years. His vocals are distorted, and the treble is high and tinty. Samples are used, but not-overused and the songs have a strong commercial appeal. “Days Go On” is punky and catchy as hell (I could've sworn he was saying, “Disco ball ... Disco ball ...” in the chorus instead of the title. Listen here.) A Rob Zombie tone permeates “Lips of Red.” Think of that organ-sounding sample in “Living Dead Girl.” “Sex Action” is another one that sticks out. It's got a glam-metal feel to it, and I can see some female fans getting into this one. “The Worms” is straight off of Antichirst Superstar and serves as a creepy, gothic interlude. “We All Fall Down” is a space rocker in the vein of PM5K. This album is guitar driven and song-oriented and the production is top-notch.
Had this album been released in 1995 or even as late as 1998, it might have been knocking on the doors of MTV and rock radio. Despite the obvious influences and knock-offs, Let Us Prey is an excellent debut. Everything always comes full circle. So why not industrial metal next? I feel it's just on the horizon. And with Jourgensens's backing, Spyder Baby is already on a path to stardom. Who's gonna argue with Uncle Al? |
