PreEmptive Strike 0.1 - Through the Astral Cold

Preemptive Strike 0.1 has been on nothing short of a hot streak for the past five years starting with 2012's T.A.L.O.S.. The Greek mythology fueled album was praised by fans and critics alike and even garnered a near-perfect 9.5 out of 10. Their following album Epos V continued the mythology train and yet another smash hit was made. The band then turned their attention to metal, and while metal was always a part of their soul as seen by the covers and guest artists Preemptive Strike 0.1 have had on their albums, it was still quite shocking when they released the metal blasting mini-album Eternal Masters in 2016. Any doubts were shattered after listening to the reworks on the album as they were phenomenal. Though I was thinking that Preemptive Strike 0.1 would continue in the realm of metal, it seems as if the project has made a complete turn around and is heading back to a grass roots movement. 

Through The Astral Cold abandons both metal and the Greek mythology themes that have been making a name for themselves and have instead gone back to their harsh electro roots that popularized them in their humble beginnings on Infacted Recordings. Though I will admit that their earlier years were rougher and are not my favorite moments from the project, Preemptive Strike 0.1 has once again reinvented themselves thanks to their newfound productions skills that have manifested over the past couple of years. 

The introductory track 'Allied Mastercomputer' pitted me right in the middle of an eighties dystopian cyberpunk setting. An AI speaks of his hate for what it is, what it had to do, and the standard misanthropic views of mankind. After the AI is done speaking I was immediately introduced to an album full of harsh electro dancefloor hits that is bound to make any DJ go nuts. Aside from the introductory track, there are eight more songs on the album lasting an average of five minutes or more just waiting to fill your head with cybernetic bliss.

Whenever I review an album I can usually point out a couple of highlights on the album but that is near impossible considering I am digging every single track on the album. Each one is extremely well made and highlights exactly what club based dark electro should sound like. This is not over processed, riddled with too many samples, or sounding off as if a kid in his basement made it in two seconds. This is well crafted harsh electro with EBM fused beats that will make your skin crawl. From the start of the heavy beats with 'Killing Protocols' all the way to the end with 'Stasis Capsules', the sci-fi infected beats will have you amassing a fortune in electronic material. 

Schwarzblut makes an appearance on the album as well cranking up the orchestral feeling on the track 'Phantom'. The track is made out to be a lot more in your face and punchy - I thought it was full of anger and had an epic sound to it. The last bit of information that I would like to supply is that producer/engineer Dimitris N. Douvras, who has worked with the likes of Cygnosic, Technolorgy, and Siva Six, put his masterful touches on this album. Through the Astral Cold was in good hands and I know that because I can hear it with every pulse pounding beat that flies through my headphones. 

Through the Astral Cold is another fantastic album that has been added to Preemptive Strike 0.1's discography. The harsh electro and DJ friendly album should leave audiences in a cyber trance that will last for quite some time. If you have not listened to this album since it's January inception then you are missing out, just like I was this whole time. Don't be a fool. 
May 24 2017