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CD reviews

Shadow Zone

Static-X - Shadow Zone Audio CD

A fair review of the Static-X "Shadow Zone" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Static-X reviews here, or go back to the Static-X tabs.

Band: Static-X
Title: Shadow Zone
Rating:

Release Date: 2003-10-07
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Destroy All 2: Control It 3: New Pain 4: Shadow Zone 5: Dead World 6: Monster 7: The Only 8: Kill Your Idols 9: All In Wait 10: Otsegolectric 11: So 12: Transmission 13: Invincible

Not one of Static-X's better albums.
But, it's still really pretty damn good. This is probably my least favorite of Static-X's albums. It features a lot more singing done by lead singer Wayne Static instead of him doing his usual screaming and growling vocals that he has been doing much more of as of late. I'd really like to hear Wayne do more singing in future projects. Who knows, maybe he will on his upcoming solo project, Pighammer? Anyway, I digress. The best tracks on this album are Destroy All, Control It, Shadow Zone, Kill Your Idols, and Otsegolectric. It seems that with this kind of music, you either love it or hate it. I happen to love Static-X so it's a winner in my book.

Into the Shadow Zone

I'm considering whether to buy their new (6th) album CULT, and in reading reviews of CULT, I felt compelled to write the review of their 3rd album, Shadow Zone:

I have never been so disappointed with musicians in my entire life as when I heard this album. I'll give you the bottom line up front: If you were enthralled with WI Death Trip; you won't be with this. I bought Shadow Zone upon release and listened to it immediately afterward. After hearing the entire album, i through the CD out the window, and into. . . THE SHADOW ZONE. WI DEATH TRIP remains an epic, untouchable release. Static X lost their juice after Machine; period. I cannot stand it when bands take 'a new direction'. Rock is rock; i want to see the same, heavy hammer fall. I mean c'mon, Static-X knows about repetitive beats and loops. . . Afterall, if there IS a need for a different sound, i'll check another BAND, thank you.
BOTTOM LINE: If you were enthralled with WI Death Trip; you won't be with this.

*****
In the end, i'll probably wait until CULT is listed as used and grab it then. I just can't imagine a band having the talent to release an album like WI Death Trip (& Machine), and then continuously following up with incompetence. The hope remains ~ PAX.

anti review
If you want good enjoyable music, or something new and inventive, this is it. If you like mindless, fast paced, abbrasive insane metal, then I guess you may not like listening to Shadow Zone. When Wisconsin Death Trip came onto the scene it was a new kind of industrial/metal, and led me to believe we had a very talented new band in progress. It was just original, and powerful. . . it left something with you.

After Machine fell short of that mark, not being a decent effort, I thought there was no hope for redemption on a third effort. Obviously I was wrong.

In all honesty, Shadow Zone is one of the best albums (metal or any genre for that matter) that I have ever heard. 10 of the 12 tracks sound completely different from each other, with fast heavy beats, some buzzing noises, loud crashing guitars, and mind blowing lyrics. The opener, Destroy All is a light let down, but by the end it does leave some interest at what is to come next. Control It, New Pain, Shadow Zone, and Dead World follow, and are absolutely everything but disappointing songs. They feel as if the album is going to the point. . . bearing the same energy that powered WDT. Monster has to be one of the fastest songs I've ever heard. He "sings" at about a thousand words per minute and the accompanying music is delightful. The Only is a more than decent very repetitive track. Signs of life start to show when Kill Your Idols begins, , although it is a step under the rest of the cd. All In Wait and Otsegolectric are just as good as everything else, once again carrying insanely heavy and scratchy sounds and immediate lyrics. . . as they are knowing where the hell this album is going. The next track, So, is an attempt at a slow paced heavy track, that somewhat succeeds at that, but becomes very repetitive and ultimately slightly inferior to anything else heard up to this point. Transmission has no vocals on it, and is a very good track until the last 20 seconds or so where it just ends with amazing sounds of a woman moaning/screaming. . . that is completely surprising . It was not disappointing because the song started off very much sounding like something taking off from WDT. The closer, Invincible, is probably the best listen on the album, with a good chorus, and a catchy rhythm, and just because it's completely different from the rest of the album.

Uneven...but passable
Half of this album could have fit in nicely with "Machine" but that wasn't the case with the gents in the band. First Static-X album to incorporate melody, however, it's not 100%. Basically, SZ is half screaming (Monster, Destroy All, Otsegolectric) half melodic songs (All in Wait, So, Invincible) with Wayne's singing voice bearing an eerie similarity to Jonathan Davis of Korn fame. Shadow Zone is unfortunately lacking Static-X's characteristic evil disco (which I love), but some electronica/dance elements are present, notably on "Transmission" and "All in Wait. "

Last album to feature Tripp Eisen on guitars and first for drummer Nick Oshiro, though that position during recording was filled by expert session musician Josh Freese.

Something Different From Past 2 Albums.
With a new guitarist in the picture for this CD (Tripp Eisen) He adds a-lot more of a flavor into this CD. This CD is something quite different from the past albums, theirs a bit more melody in it which really didn't exist in the other albums. This CD still has a good amount of techno as well, which is great. My favorite songs include "Destroy All" "Control It" "Monster" "Kill Your Idols" and one of my all time favorite Static-X songs, "Otsegolectric" That's the best Otsego song in my opinion. And they even have a bit of a acoustic song (not full acoustic, it's kinda added into the song) the song is "So" it's definitely one of the softest songs on the album, which isn't a bad thing, it's actually pretty good! Another thing, Wayne's vocals have changed quite a bit since Machine, they remind me more of a chaotic Jonathan Davis (KoRn's lead singer)I really like it, even though I was a huge fan of the WDT vocals, I don't know if he'll be able to do that type of vocals again. I'd give this album about 4. 5/5 stars, but since you can't, I'll just give it 5 stars.

If you liked WDT and Machine, theirs a chance you probably won't like this album. What I'm saying is don't expect "WDT/Machine" when you go to listen to this CD. This CD really grew on me after awhile, so if you don't like it right away, give it a couple more listens after awhile.

You can see a complete list of all Static-X discography, or go back to the Static-X tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.