Description

This release from dark electronic veterans Preemptive Strike 0.1 contains several compilations from members of the black metal scene, to create a sort of electronic black metal release. The first piece features Niklas Kvarforth of Shining on vocals and the first version of the title cut (4:21) is definitely the norm for this style of dark electronic music, but the Skiltron NV101 (members of black metal acts Enshadowed and Vulturine) remix (4:36) is much better and it’s definitely my favourite track on the album. Using actual guitar sections and even some saxophone, this really seems to be the definitive version of the track. Interstellar Threat 5:04 also seems to come off rather well, with its fierce guitars and scowling vocals courtesy of Norwegian metallers V28. This track absolutely slaughters, mixing both elements together much better than I would have expected. These Greeks definitely know what they’re doing and this record proves it. Nyne (live guitars for Septic Flesh) changes the format of the song even more as it pounds in some sections and fills with beeps and bloops in others. The lead melodies are also quite memorable, as are Nyne’s vocals which make for another great track on what is shaping up to be a really stellar album if you love electronic black metal. The New Era Of Immortality 3:58 features Lyfthrasyr alongside Preemptive Strike 0.1 and it definitely makes its presence known. Both bands are known for their use of electronics, so the track came off just as one might expect and shows off the best qualities of both bands, albeit with a more electronic fare than Lyfthasyr’s normal material. Insects Intrude/The War Against The Bugs 2:55 was remixed by industrial metal legends Vigilante and it comes off rather strong, but I wished there was a bit more to chew on in that respect. The final track here is Interstellar Threat 4:29 which still features V28 but has been remixed for the club scene by Nano Infect and Degenerated Sequences. It turns the track into pretty much standard-fare for the genre and give it a dance quality that you wouldn’t expect and that some black metal fans will not be into that much at all. But you’ve got to be a brave little black metal head to get into something like this to begin with. It’s definitely a massive undertaking with hits and misses, but comes off ultimately potent and quite memorable in the end. Just another reminder that bugs should never get that fucking big and hopefully these gentlemen will be on the frontlines if they ever happen to do so. Rest assured, I’ll be cheering on Mr. Kvarforth from the comfort of my (undamaged by giant space bugs as of yet) own home.

Track listing:
1. Pierce Their Husk-featuring Niklas Kvarforth-original mix
2. Pierce Their Husk-featuring Niklas Kvarforth-Skiltron NV 101 remix
3. Interstellar Threat-featuring V28-2014 industrial metal version
4. Interstellar Threat-featuring V28-Nyne remix
5. The New Era of Immortality- featuring Lyfthrasyr vs PreEmptive Strike 0.1
6. Insects Intrude / The War Against the Bugs-Vigilante mix
7. Interstellar Threat-featuring V28-Nano Infect vs Degenerated Sequences club remix