REVIEWS

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Hocico
Wrack and Ruin

Metropolis Records

Posted: Friday, March 24, 2006
By: Ilker Yucel
Editor

You have to give Hocico credit; in a genre chockfull of European electro and EBM acts, all singing primarily in either German or English, Hocico comes to give a dash of Mexican spice to liven up an otherwise cold and steadily declining genre. Granted, they still sing in English, and most of the Spanish titles are instrumental passages, but it still is but one of a few refreshing elements in their music. Hocico are one of the few terror EBM groups that are able to combine distorted aggression with melodic yet frightening synthesizers. Their latest, Wrack and Ruin, solidifies the band's sound and intensifies the elements that made past releases so enjoyable, while moving it towards a rawer and more forceful approach akin to their live performances. The beats are blistering, the vocals are venomous, and the subject matter is as uncomfortably honest and real as ever.

Having grown up in Mexico City, the most polluted city in the world, Racso Agroyam and Erk Aicrag have a lot to be angry about. Surrounded by violence and smog, their lyrics and music capture the fierce reality of an unfair world, giving their lyrics an authenticity that makes other bands' angst seem hackneyed and cliché. With Wrack and Ruin, they have crafted a fine example of how EBM can be as brutal as industrial, but as infectious as dance. While most EBM acts emphasize the cold nature of their electronics, Hocico's sound is incendiary; synth lines like those in "Spirits of Crime" and "Tales From the Third World" can bring sweat to a person's brow. The vocals are delivered in the band's typical distorted bravado, strengthening the violence of the lyrics. Of course lyrics of this nature are not uncommon, especially in Hocico's music, but as stated, they have lived it and have more reason to speak on these matters than most. With lyrics like, "Does this face offend you? Does this skin offend you? I hope they do 'cause that's what I'm here for," from the pulsating "Born to Be (Hated)," you know the band is making a firm statement against those elements in this world that make us all wonder if there is a hell on Earth. Even a high-power hard floor song like "Love Posing as a Prostitute" makes a stance against problems of this world, particularly infidelity and fading relationships.

With so many banes towards this world, listeners may wonder if Hocico simply focuses too much on anger without trying to accentuate anything positive. This would be missing the point; not thinking about a problem does not mean it doesn't exist, and Hocico are bringing attention to real issues that need to be addressed. They are nothing new, but therein lies the dilemma. Nothing has been solved; people still suffer throughout the world. While it may seem like a tired and formulaic approach, once again, Hocico are in a better position than most to do so. Hocico has a message, and they continue to deliver it as ragingly as ever. If the message must be sent across a wave of stomping beats and punishing synthesizer attacks, all the better to get people dancing to the decadence. Who says your brain can't work while your feet are moving? Hocico's Wrack and Ruin is dance music for a troubled world in need of a wakeup call. Listen up.