Album Review by EDF
Coming in on the heavier side of Limp Bizkit and Korn, Static-X return with a new guitarist and an even heavier industrial sound than before. SHADOW ZONE is the follow-up to the 2001 MACHINE release. Whether it has anything to do with new band member Tripp Eisen or producer Josh Abraham, the tracks average out to about three minutes long, making this a very quick album to listen indeed.
You feel that the band are trying their best to write and sound more commercial than before. Even though he is doing his best not to, vocalist Wayne Static probably feels at home growling out the lyrics than singing them as he does here. Growling metal groups have rarely caused much of an impact without toning down their sound. With the guidance of Josh Abraham, Static-X sound more approachable on this album than on their previous albums.
While this is all well and good, most of the tracks are stylistically approached the same way, THE ONLY being one of those rare cases of how they can vary their songs. Not surprisingly, this is the first single taken from the album. Regardless of this, the album has a frenzied energy that chugs along like a fast moving steam train.
