Electronic pioneers Combichrist have delivered fans their sixth full length album titled We love you. Some may think that after touring the US and Europe supporting Rammstein in 2011, the band may become more mainstream, softer, fluffier or complaisant. If you were one of those who reserved thought that you were wrong! Mastermind Andy LaPlegua, who works extensive magic in the studio, has created a music-monster which is more brutal, more metal and more hardcore than ever before. Founded as a studio project in 2003, the current band and live-line up consists of Andy LaPlegua (vocals), Joe Letz (drums), Gregory Steward (Z Marr) (keyboard, percussion), Shaun Frandsen (keyboard, percussion) and Abbey Nex (live-guitar).
Combichrist’s first album The Joy of Gunz (2003), and the four subsequent albums –Everybody Hates You (2005), What the Fuck Is Wrong With You People? (2007), Today We Are All Demons (2009) and Making Monsters (2011), has cemented the band’s iconic place in the dark electronica pantheon.
With that said, the sound of We Love You should satisfy older fans, but also should bring intrigue to fans of Rob Zombie or Dope Stars Inc. as well. From the first song “We Are Made to Love You” starting with the intro-words “Please don’t forget we love you… now die!” Combichrist makes a clear unapologetic statement coming along like a wrecking ball. Not denying the trademarks of their electronic roots, there are additional and surprising heavy guitars along with the mind-blowing metalcore screams of LaPlegua. Directly following “Every Day is War” continues the assault and does not allow the listeners even a breath. Once again, this song comes on like an earthquake with heavy guitars supporting electronic beats and sounds listeners have become accustom to from the band over the years. “Can’t Control” starts off Rob Zombie-like with creepy keyboards and vocal-styling. It is the type of song that will have your pet look a bit weird at you, but then join you dancing after a few seconds. “Maggots at the Party” emerges as a real Manson-like Rock-n-Roll song combined with trance-loops; something most people may not expect from an electronica-band like Combichrist.
The first more calm and melodic moments on the album come from the song “Denial”, but nevertheless with a sonic assault of sounds and fat guitars placed in the chorus. “I’m so sick of unicorns” seethes from LaPlegua, on the more old-school electronica song “Fuck Unicorns” which is immediately followed by the hardcore-attack of “Love is a Razorblade”.
The 13 songs on We Love You will take you into a deep abyss of aggression and manic electronica, as stated prior giving birth to a pure music-monster which somehow refreshed and renewed Combichrist. CrypticRock gives We Love You 4.5 out of 5 stars for an almost perfect Electro-Rock-n-Core album with no weak moments for fans of the genres. Fans should check the band live on the upcoming tour, kicking off on the 3rd of April. Mr. LaPlegua promises these shows will be more intense than ever, clearly a promise everybody will believe after listening to this album.
- Out of Line/Metropolis Records
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