Atomzero - Velocity

I think, if anything, Atomzero's new EP "Velocity" has been released to showcase what is to come in their future. Peter Godziszewski returns with new vocalist Andrew Hunter of synthrock band Trench Run. Some purist fans of Atomzero may already have negative thoughts to a new line-up, and some may have already headed for the hills in regards to the new EP, but I can assure you that such a move would be idiotic on your part. "Velocity" contains four new tracks and two remixes and it is quite the catch. 

For starters, Hunter does a swell job taking over vocal duties on "Velocity". If this EP serves as a sort of test, or beta for the new Atomzero sound, then I think it would be safe to say that they can move onto an Alpha stage. Hunter's chords do echo past giants of the scene, but they are not another replica of some newbie trying to do the industrial thing and failing. He has a fairly smooth set of vocals that work well with club oriented, EBM beats. Even when his voice gets a bit rougher on 'Towards The Sun', he's able to hold up his voice to standards set on previous songs on the EP, so there are no worries there.

As far as the music goes, Godziszewski has naught to worry about. Snappy electronic hooks create what I would consider crazy good dancefloor stompers. The title track itself is perhaps the best track on the album. Its EBM line that runs throughout is complimented by faster paced electronic blips and wave-esque sounds during the chorus. The only track that I had a bit of trouble figuring out on the album was 'Towards The Sun'. In comparison to the previous three tracks, it just did not seem as polished. 

Finishing off the EP, two remixes of the title track from German electro-heads Gunmaker and the devilishly stylistic Needle Factory are presented. The real catch with Gunmaker's remix is that it is pretty standard up until half way through the song. That is when their guitar work mixes in with Atomzero's sound, and the pulse is really brought out. Needle Factory's remix almost entirely does away with the vocals, and uses them in a brisk fashion, mainly putting them in with the beat and utilizing them as a sound more than lyrics. He really went for a chilled out version of Velocity, and almost all club-sounds have been flushed away for a relaxing sequence.

A new line up could not and did not dwindle the quality of material that Atomzero has been known to put out in the past. There is no reason not to check this out if you have been following the and since the beginning, as everything on it is fun, fast, and well made. 
Sep 03 2015