H.Exe - Killing Monsters

H.Exe was formed in 2010 and includes Odo (vocals & lyrics) and DJ Rex Rotten (music & production). Killing Monsters is their first full length album following their two previous EPs, Realms of Inhuman Pleasures and Venom. Odo has experience from being a vocalist in a Polish symphonic black metal band and this really shows up both in the vocals and lyrics. Their work best fits into the Aggrotech and Harsh Electro bracket by combining great dance floor movers with cutting edge lyrics and variety of vocal styles that don't compromise the strong and memorable album that is: Killing Monsters!

The album brags an enjoyably consistent thirteen tracks including the equally as pleasing intro and outro. The first track is the sensibly named 'Intoduction' accelerating with ambient, eerie and spooky sounds that prepare you for the first track on the album 'Dreadful Visions', which is filled with bouncy pounding beats, solid military synths and a very fresh, original sound which is dominant across the album. The third track 'Hollow' has that same great sound which doesn't sound rough or unfinished. The fourth track is titled 'Never Enough' and that's exactly my thoughts on the album, you will never get enough of this album! It's diverse but consistent and deals with serious issues such as religion, slavery and general stupidity. "I want more", taken the words straight from my mouth.

The fifth track is titled 'Crown Thy Oppressor' and ascends from quite spooky cries into that heavy beat and lightly distorted vocals with a very clear sound but progress greatly into Odo's fresh vocal style. The next track 'Killing Monsters' is the title track of the album, and why shouldn't it be? It's a strong and very memorable song with a chant of "Hey Hey" for you to sing and scream along to. All the other tracks on the album are all strong but two that really do stand out on top are 'Infinity' and 'Replica'. 'Infinity' includes the guest vocals of Steffan from the Polish gothic rock band, Digital Angel. The harmonic vocals on this track reminiscent of the Synthpop style that fit greatly into the track bringing it straight into the limelight and set it as the most memorable track on the album. 'Replica' is their only 'full' Instrumental track which isn't an intro or outro but boy do they make it good! This track has the fastest tempo of all other tracks and is a definite club hit to lose your mind to on the dance floor! If this doesn't have you throwing your fists in the air and stomping your feet then nothing will.

The album ends on 'Breath of the Dying (Outro)' and while is contains no vocals and doesn't have the same hard-hitting dance vibe, it's still a great track. It is a very chilled and laid back period to help you ease off the intense ride of the previous 12 tracks, and somehow makes me want more! The album on a whole is diverse, fluid and well managed with each new track possessing something new to admire, you will never feel like you're listening to the same track and no track is tiresome or simple; this album is a definite for your home collection! Buy it, support these guys and who knows, maybe we will get another album! One of the best things about this album however, is the people behind it, Odo is a nice to talk to guy and this release is up for free download on their Last.fm page! So there's no stopping you getting this! Sep 08 2011