Album review: Seraphim System - Natural Predator
One of the true masters of industrial returns yet again, never slowing down, never resting; The album's name may as well be a description of the man himself. For those who are new to his music, they are ambushed by the sheer ferocity and skill, drumming up primal fury inside of listeners with each beat.
He can attack you not just with industrial, but power noise, dark synth, and a vast array of vocal and metal ranges.
Looking at the beautiful artwork of the latest album I find myself marvelling at the coincidence that before I even knew about this album, some of what I had written up for #Cyber EVM 2.0 said:
"Seraphim System is an apex predator of industrial music. One who may not be known far and wide but neither is the panther until it’s at your throat in full force and aggression."
This self released album releases on the 22nd of December and is available for pre-order on both CD and digital format over at Bandcamp HERE.
John played a lot of the new tracks from this album on his first ever online show for Cyber EVM in aid of Slimelight which can be seen in the video below:
For the full Cyber EVM 2 article where you can watch the exclusive sets from Seraphim System, Iszoloscope, Memmaker, and Zeitgeist Zero as well as stage show from ESA, and DJ sets from myself, DJ Elektro Vox; click the image:
Review
First of all this album seems very much a return to the hard to swallow vocals of raw aggression heard in previous albums such as 'Relay Toxicity' and 'Xibalba' but very much blended in to the crunchy industrial stomp goodness of 'Obsidian Frontline.'
It is therefore not the usual industrial of 'Friendly Fire' and 'Phoenix.' Once you get that assumption out of your mind, you're a lot more free to enjoy what is on offer.
Having heard a lot of these played for Cyber EVM 2 I can honestly say this music is perfect for clubs and to be shared! It's not music to sit down and chill out to that's for sure (Unless you need a real good angry soundtrack to vent with).
Look at it like instead of grabbing a cold beer to chill with, it's like shooting ten flaming tequilas in a row and when done at the right time, it's exactly what you need.
This is music you want to gather up your tribe to and share in the primal fire flowing through the seemingly elemental music. If I were to coin a new phrase, perhaps 'Social power-industrial' might be fitting.
It's sounds, drops, and samples like these that make you want to turn to your friends and pull these kind of faces to as you dance:
This album, much like 'Obsidian Frontline' seems to be a concept album that each song carries on from and therefore to review individual tracks would be difficult as the sound and feel of this album comes at you as a whole.
If you were in a city being attacked by the likes of Starcraft Zerg, or Starship trooper 'bugs' then each road or alleyway you run down is gonna be variations on the same feral carnage, you understand?
Having said that I do think the opening samples about cops in the first track 'THE PRIMAL' and the relentless onslaught of industrial tones in the ending track 'RUTHLESS ORDER' frame this album perfectly and stand out for me as tracks I would happily DJ with the first opportunity I get in a club or shared online event.
Tracklist
THE PRIMAL THE PREY COMMAND NATURAL PREDATOR THE WORM THE POISON
IN FOR THE KILL SCENT OF BLOOD RUTHLESS ORDER
Conclusion
No one quite writes music like John Stancil. I'd be hard pressed to relate his constant stream of new and experimental music to any other artists. He truly does stand alone just as the apex predators do, hiding in the shadows and not quite straying in to the limelight.
The anger at the world and political climate is a recurring theme even in this album and you can tell there's no stopping Seraphim System as he constantly evolves and adapts his music style to the world around him.
This album is peak fury and shows that he deserves to be put in to aggressive soundtracks like the DOOM franchise. If one day I find myself in a Seraphim System mosh pit or wall of death, I expect that frenzied crowd to show each other no mercy...
You can grab some Seraphim System merch HERE
Scores
Technicality: 7/10
Dance factor: 7.5/10
Energy: 8/10
Vocals: 6.5/10
Re-playability: 6/10
Overall score: 7 / 10
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