Artist: Zeroin
Album: The Death of a Man Called Icarus
Type: Album
Label: Subsound Records
Zeroin formed in 2000 with the intention of playing experimental music which combined the electronic industrial elements of Nine Inch Nails with the angsty twitch of alternative rock. Three releases in ‘The Death of a Man Called Icarus’ sounds like a grungier, more guitar orientated version of something released by Mr Reznor himself.
Twisted electronics glitch and stutter over late-Pitchshifter like punky guitar riffs, with the gritty vocal performance reminding of a cross between the aforementioned Nine Inch Nails and Silverchair. In all honesty, it’s a pretty basic package which to me screams commercialism (though, it’s not like they’re pretending to be anything else really, with an abundance of catchy hooks, post-grunge angst and buzzing electronics shifting from speaker to speaker through a phaser). A few of the big choruses reminded me of Fear Factory at times too, though this is strictly on a melody basis – these guys don’t have half of FF’s metal edge, or any of the heavy blasting guitars or fast drumwork for that matter.
Apparently these guys have supported Gary Numan too, which should give you another clue as to what they sound like. Think safe rock music drowning in swathes of synthesiser for the best part of the album, and you’re halfway there. Not for me, but it’s sure to have a market thanks to its inherent commercial edge.
Lars Christiansen
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