Cease2Xist - You Are Expendable

When we last left off a couple of years ago, we were getting seriously excited about the fledgling UK Industrial scene - especially Cease2xist and The.Invalid (more to come on that later). C2X promised a huge amount on the debut EP "Living By The Bullet", and two years later, the first full-length "You Are Expendable" is unleashed - on a label also promoting some of the finest in UK Industrial - Static Distortion.

This release begins with "Not All Is Wrong" - weighted more heavily into the Electro-Industrial trope, it's built around an atmospheric piece, with disciplined Drum work and a progressive synth. This builds into a wall of Electronics and a really powerful sample - how many albums this year do this with an intro track? Too many, but Dayve Yates has made one that doesn't so much pass the test as piss on it.

The first track proper is "My Burning Rage" - released on the recent Synthematik compilation, this, for many, will be the first introduction to Cease2xist. It starts like a beast, evolves into a extremely catchy synth - musically it has the harsh catchiness of God Destruction with the vocal prowess of M@ from Encephalon.

The title track is an odd one - it's probably the most Electronic track I've ever heard, it's super fast, there's alarms going off everywhere, it's insane - but it's fucking BRILLIANT. The Trance-like build up at the 1:00 mark surmises the track beautifully - Yates' evolution is extremely noticeable - three tracks into this release and I haven't found any gaping flaws - it's not even the best track on here, but fuck, this is mindblowingly addictive.

"Still Not Dead" features Mike from 'MiXE1' on vocals with Dayve, and if memory serves, he also wrote the lyrics. I'll keep the track a surprise - I can't really give an unbiased opinion due to my activities with MiXE1, but both acts have a great reputation, so you do the math.

"Tonight" is a track that's available immediately to those who preorder, and this track falls more into the harsher territory. It starts with a heavy bass that reminds me of Panzer AG, kicks into a siren-like synth (god I wish I knew the ins-and-outs), and stops for a second to allow Yates' vocals to begin. Of all the tracks on here, this is the most 'Club' - the album wasn't released to be designed for clubs, it was made based on what Yates' was into at the time, so the influx of subtle genre-hopping is well received, and surprisingly, it works.

The remake of "One-Zero" emphasises the newer style of C2X, and it's followed by my personal favourite, "Teenage America". Heavy as fuck, Yates' refrain of : "They're only Human like you!" leads into a typically inspired melody. It's REALLY good for the dancefloor, but also carries a more potent undertone to it.

"I Am Destroyer" is a song title that doesn't really leave much to the imagination. It's like a bomb to the brain, frantically memorable, with the bridge section deeply impressive.

"Ravenous" Is a more techno-driven, bass heavy track that reminds us all of where the genre is rooted. It has some glorious sections hiding behind the vocals, but Dayve's lyrics on here are the most coherent on the release, and the most meaningful too.

The often parodied "Occupy XX" slogan is here with "Occupy Everything" - my other favourite (Yes, I have two, deal with it...) - It's Dubstep (Accept it, this is the way forward for so many acts) - it's laden with bass wobbles and drops, it's as heavy as a plane carrying a Sumo Wrestling contingency, and at times tends to lead rather than follow - I've heard my fair share of Dubstep and this track is exemplary.

The album itself ends with "Faint Glimmer of Hope" - the track is the only track on here thats based around samples, it's quite melancholic and has an 8-bit feel,like the closing track on the latest Die Sektor. It's both uplifting and depressing, but it continues the popular trend of ending a release with a sorrowful number - it works really well.

Ending with two remixes (The.Invalid take on "I Am The Destroyer and MiXE1 takes on "My Burning Rage", this album is not so much a platform into the future of talented industrial as it is THE future.

With careful consideration, I need to utilise the rare score of 9.5 (Previously a 10 on the old system) - there isnt a track that's weak, and the flaws this album has are so minimal there's little point even discussing them.

Mixed by Cease2xist and The.Invalid, with Artwork from Zila (Die Sektor fame among others), I expected something good. What I didn't expect was something competitive and above itself. What Dayve Yates has given us, for me, is a top 10 album of the year. It's as good as "Illuminatus", and in working with two of the most talented bands in the UK scene, this is simply Unmissable.

Let's hope he doesn't 'Cease2xist.'
Aug 28 2012