REVIEWS

Cyanotic
Transhuman

Cracknation / Glitch Mode Recordings

Posted: Thursday, March 30, 2006
By: Ilker Yucel
Editor

Cyanotic are gradually becoming one of the hot newcomers in the realm of harsh industrial rock. With influences ranging from coldwave to drum n’ bass to power noise, the trio of Sean Payne, Drew Rosander, and Brian Blake transcends classification to form a fusion of harsh electronic textures that assault the auditory senses. After the success of their self-released demo Mutual Bonding Through Violation, the band amassed a steadily growing fan base, and garnered the attention of the underground media, as well as some big names in the scene, touring with the likes of Bile, Nocturne, and Acumen Nation. Following up such success with a full-length debut can seem like a tall order, but Cyanotic prove they are more than up to the task with the brutal Transhuman. With production by Jason Novak of Acumen Nation and DJ? Acucrack, as well as Chris Cozort of Iammynewt, Transhuman is sure to make your ears bleed like never before.

Starting things off with the almost obligatory industrial soundscape, the sample “I’m sure there’s going to be more than one unpleasant surprise before we’re done” is perhaps the most appropriate opening to the album. Right when “Order Out of Chaos” kicks in with a blistering array of glitch drum n’ bass, raucous guitars, and Sean’s vocals so venomous he could give Al Jourgensen a run for his money. The band is unapologetic in their embrace of all things mechanical, with such phrases as “Our role models are machines” and “I’m retired from the human race” adorning the liner artwork and samples. Pulsating electronics and glitches are abundant in such tracks as the thrashed-up onslaught of such tracks as “Insurgence,” “Antithesis,” and “Beta Blocker,” as well as the mechanized groove of “Suspension of Disbelief.” The pumping beats of “Sensory Deprivation” and “Deface” could easily find a home on today’s industrial dance floors. The title track is one of the more ominous moments with its intro befitting any cyberpunk soundtrack. “Axiom” is probably the closest the band will ever get to a ballad with its steady beat and atmospheric effects.

Cyanotic have created quite an incredible barrage of electronic noise on Transhuman. The combination of glitches and malfunctioning electronics with brutal industrial rock works well to at once alarm and astonish the listener, presenting elements that are familiar but in an unfamiliar fashion; it’s a feeling similar to what some must have felt when Ministry first combined programmed beats with heavy metal guitars on The Land of Rape and Honey. Louder and harder than most other bands that claim to be industrial, Cyanotic have produced quite the thrill ride with Transhuman, sure to please as well as surprise fans of Acumen Nation, Bile, Rec|use, and Chemlab. If you’re looking for a new hero in machine-driven rock and industrial, Cyanotic are here to answer your prayers.