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Cesium_137
Proof of Life

Metropolis Records

Posted: Wednesday, November 21, 2007
By: Dale Carlyon

Cesium_137 is back with another finely crafted full-length album. Proof of Life has a lot of energy that comes across during both the fast and the slow moments, but most importantly, it has variety. One problem that this act has had with previous releases is that all of the tracks seemed to blend together with nothing really standing out. This is not the case with Proof of Life; nearly every track has a unique and passionate feel. "Stars Turn Cold" and "Flight" (also released separately as a digital single) are charged with lyrical and compositional thunder and are sure to deliver lightning to dance floors. "Stranded" maintains the album's momentum while going closer to Cesium_137's classic sound and using high, full synth swells. "With Fire" is a ballad with a low, almost growling synth texture supported by a light, staccato drumbeat, piano (sometimes supported by echo and bell effects), and some great, heartfelt lyrics. "Endure" has a brooding hook to it and may be the darkest Cesium_137 track since "Frayed" on Elemental. "Sighted" is a brighter, more optimistic piece with female supporting vocals. "The Waking City" reveals Cesium's vocals at their best, coming through with pleading and depth. This is an outstanding, dance floor-destined track that blends a broken, monotone synth line with a high, ascending atmospheric swell. "Keep Me" is a tribute song that reminds of Apoptygma Berzerk's "Pikachu." Just as "Endure" is dark, "Inhuman" is refreshingly angry; it has a lot of low, buzzing synths and industrial guitar textures. "Atmosphere" starts with a hollow, echoing beat and progresses into another ballad that achieves a beautifully lonely sound with airy, high-end effects. The album begins and ends with good intro and outro tracks, creating a complete, well-defined expression.

This act may benefit by experimenting more with their vocal delivery, which they have begun to do with this release. The vocals are on the high end of the spectrum and have a tendency to fall into the same note structure, ascending at the beginning of the line, stressing the middle, and then descending at the end. This tends to have a flattening effect over the course of several tracks. Nevertheless, Proof of Life has demonstrated Cesium_137's effort to break new ground, and it is likely that their material will only get bigger and better with time.