(Crucial Blast Records)

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Just as extreme underground music seemed to be getting all too predictable, I tore open a package containing the debut of Genghis Tron. First, let it be known that this band formed not too long ago… early 2004, in fact. Unbelievable! While, there are only five tracks contained within, Cloak of Love will certainly prove to be a precursor to a bright future.

Perhaps one of the album’s key advantages is its unclassifiable content. Not everyone will have the ability to openly embrace it, but inevitably respect is both demanded and commanded. Maybe the easiest way to verbally set the tone for the ingenuity presented is to paint a picture of electronic mayhem both guitar and synth-driven interweaving against the solid rhythmic foundation ever-present throughout. It’s as if the album is a musical representation of the pain felt by those suffering from bipolar disorder. While not as abstract as Fantomas or even earlier Dillinger efforts, Genghis Tron projects some of the same vibe as the aforementioned as well as that of Ministry, KMFDM, and even Depeche Mode.

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Do not prejudge this band, though, for as this is not pure synth-pop, it isn’t noisecore either. It could be said that it isn’t even a blending of the two and rather just a reflection in and of itself of creativity incorporating many different elements to form its own entity. I was reminded of Dodheimsgard’s 666 International in some ways, and even some later Ulver material as Cloak of Love builds upon an often deceptive melody coupled with drum and bass to take a left turn into blast beats, screaming, and black industrial sounding guitars.

If more bands could write and focus on expressionism as such in whatever they do, the scene would certainly be more prone to naturally separate the wheat from the chaff. Everyone thank Genghis Tron for coming along to help get the ball rolling, and be sure to pick this debut up when it’s released this month.

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