Review: Crossbreed - K.E. 101 (2009)

Finally, at long last, Crossbreed's K.E. 101 has finally been released. Back in May, when I wrote the review to their debut Synthetic Divisions, I was foaming at the mouth since their next CD was supposed to release maybe a week or two later. It goes without saying that it never happened and that K.E. 101 was pushed all the way to September 15th after they went all summer announcing September 1st. But it turns out that only the CD will be released on the 15th and that the digital copy on iTunes was still on track for the 1st. So here I am with my copy of K.E. 101. So after all the waiting, ever since I fell in love with their demo of 'Nothing' back in 2007, has Crossbreed lived up to my expectations?

You bet your ass they have.

The album opens up with a crowd of fans chanting and screaming Crossbreed's name before dissolving into the first track via a sweet electronica beat. After the techno, the song unloads into the industrial metal I've been waiting for. With double bass kicks, sweet guitar riffs and awesome screams belting the song's namesake, 'Kill Everything,' I'm more psyched than ever. 'Hollow' opens strangely, with some creepy-sounding chanting, I might add, before leading into a solid track with an awesome bridge sequence.

'Nothing' has changed significantly since I found the demo years ago, but I could have been blind and not known what track I had clicked on and still recognized the song as soon as it opened up. The song is awesome. The screaming continues to be a selling point for this band. But the drum work and the guitar riffs are like fancy packaging tape on this package. It all works so well, I'm rather suspicious. More on that later...

'Emote' is worth mentioning, and 'TB Not' is a bad-ass track, as well. 'The Calling' and 'End of Days' continue the trend, being far from disappointing, but let me hit on the next song.

OK. The best part: Crossbreed actually did a cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition.' I know, right? When it started playing, I about fell out of my chair laughing AKA ROFL. But it's a great cover and is very unique since it's still by a heavy industrial band. But it's still a great song and oughta be on the radio as a single.

Following 'Superstition' is 'Saints of Grey,' a song I knew was gonna kick ass after hearing it on the band's mySpace page. And guess what? I was right - it kicks ass. 'Control' slows it down a little before 'Beg' finishes the album off strong - just like how it started.

So my message to any readers: if you like Crossbreed, liked their first album, and would like to see what they have to offer this time around, do it. K.E. 101 does not disappoint. That last part applies to all who haven't heard of the band. Crossbreed has delivered a solid album with an eclectic mix of industrial metal and electronica. Florida should be proud.

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Upcoming Releases: Chevelle, Rob Zombie, Shadows Fall, etc.

Nothing puts me in a better mood than discovering that some of my favourite acts are putting out new material soon. Just last night, I compiled a small list of bands I'll be keeping my eye on as they prepare releasing their latest material in the coming months. It is as follows:

- SOiL will be releasing their fifth studio album (second with new-ish vocalist AJ Cavalier), titled Picture Perfect on October 20th of this year. Their last album, True Self, was released over three years ago.

- Deftones has a new album waiting to be released, titled Eros, which was set to be released earlier this year, but due to a near-fatal accident that almost claimed their bassist, the album was put on hold till October. Currently, it's been upgraded to an indefinite hold. Their official page stated "although those songs will see the light of day at some point, we collectively made the decision that we needed to take a new approach... with Chi’s condition heavy on our minds while doing so."

- Crossbreed, an act many people have probably never heard of, was supposed to release their second studio album K.E. 101 a few months ago, but due to some label issues, the album has been slated to release on September 1st.

- Rob Zombie will be releasing another album in October, hopefully. With all of his films being in a state of release or development or whatever in between, I wouldn't be surprised if something gets in the way of his music.

- Powerman 5000 will be releasing their sixth studio album, Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere, tentatively on October 6th.

- Three Days Grace has their third studio album, Life Starts Now, prepped for a September 22nd release. The first single from the album, "Break," will undoubtedly hit airwaves soon.

- Muse has a release, titled The Resistance, planned for a September 14th release. A whole track listing is available on the album's Wikipedia page and the total run time of the disc is six minutes short of an hour. Not bad.

- Shadows Fall is looking to release their next album, Retribution, on September 15th. Their sixth studio album features a guest spot from Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe.

- Chevelle will be releasing their next album Sci-Fi Crimes soon - September 1st.

- Breaking Benjamin has been working on their fourth album, Dear Agony, and has been preparing that for a September 29th release. The first single, "I Will Not Bow,' will be released August 17th.

- I was reluctant to add this, but someone out there might care. Pearl Jam will be releasing their 128th studio album, Backspacer, on September 20th.

Review: Crossbreed - Synthetic Division (2001)

Crossbreed is a little-known band out of Florida. Those who do know of them don't think too highly of them. I have a few words for those people: fuck you!

Crossbreed's debut album, 'Synthetic Division,' is good. Well, pretty good, I guess. It showcases screaming, subdued vocals, a dash of electronica, and the more prevalent industrial rock/nu metal feel.

I can't complain, but I guess I was really looking for something to come out and really grab me. I couldn't help but think about Fear Factory and five.bolt.main for some reason while listening to this CD.

Out of the dozen tracks the CD sports, I personally five-starred 'Breathe.' 'Pure Energy' is worth mentioning simply because the sampling involved in the song reminds me a lot of Juno Reactor.

While the CD is mediocre at best, I am still psyched for Crossbreed's sophomore album, 'K.E. 101.' 'Nothing' was the first demo I found on the band's MySpace some twenty months ago and I actually managed to download it and add it to 'Synthetic Divisions' for the time being. Now the band's MySpace has a number of new songs online, including what I already think will be my favourite song: 'Saints of Grey.' It contains a perfect balance of electronica and nu metal and it's simply because of this song that I'm gonna go and buy their next CD on May 12th. I recommend you follow suit.

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