alternative / industrial / post-hardcore
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Did you see those three music styles above? 'Alternative', 'Industrial', 'Post-hardcore'. Did you ever expect them to come together on one album? Well, neither did I and yet I am listening to it right now. Besides, I can add a few more genres, including doom, post-rock and punk rock. I guess I could also add nu-metal but frankly, this is beyond nu-metal, it's way more impressive than most of those bands.
Silver Snakes is a rockband from Southern California, formed in 2011. The most surprising aspect of their biography might be that the band was founded by Alex Estrada, a former crust and hardcore musician. You might ask why that is the most surprising thing. Well, because I have never experienced hardcore to be this close to arena metal and alternative rock and so far away from the chaotic brutality of crust punk.
That isn't a bad thing by the way, on the contrary. Silver Snakes delves deep into the heart of metal, picking up influences from Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Ministry, Om and Godflesh. Personally, I also recognize some of my old favorites, including Treponem Pal, Sonic Violence and Old. This is one harsh, mechanic and heartless album, but it does seem to have a soul, a distressed, hopeless soul.
The album opes with the fierce 'Electricity', which drives on hammering Ministry percussion and sheer brutality. Vocals range from emotional clean singing to sludge and post-metal screams and even some death growls here and there. The way in which Silver Snakes blend those old school industrial influences with modern day post-hardcore is stunning. It results in a highly immersive version of both genres.
More songs follow and Nine Inch Nails often comes to mind. Well, not often, a lot. Reznor certainly has had his influence on Silver Snakes, not only in the industrial approach but also in the artistic freedom Silver Snakes allow themselves. 'Glass' and 'Devotion' are prime examples of do-whatever-you want metal, suited perfectly for the current era. It might be risky to make combinations like these, but here they certainly paid off.
'Dresden' is the best industrial shoegaze song I have ever heard, blending Slowdive and Jesu with Nine Inch Nails. No, I also never realized that there was a possibility for such a combination but damn, what a song. 'The Loss' seem to follow that example a little, perhaps nudging more towards Godflesh or even Eyehategod. So yes, it is quite a varied album and certainly an outstanding one.
I mentioned a few songs, but I really want to recommend checking out the entire album. Not only if you are an industrial fan but also if you simply like to know what the near future of metal is going to sound like. I think it's only a matter of time before this act arrives at the big stages, perhaps even recording a WWE pay-per-view theme or something. They certainly deserve that. Yeah, I'm impressed.
​Serge
Silver Snakes is a rockband from Southern California, formed in 2011. The most surprising aspect of their biography might be that the band was founded by Alex Estrada, a former crust and hardcore musician. You might ask why that is the most surprising thing. Well, because I have never experienced hardcore to be this close to arena metal and alternative rock and so far away from the chaotic brutality of crust punk.
That isn't a bad thing by the way, on the contrary. Silver Snakes delves deep into the heart of metal, picking up influences from Nine Inch Nails, Deftones, Ministry, Om and Godflesh. Personally, I also recognize some of my old favorites, including Treponem Pal, Sonic Violence and Old. This is one harsh, mechanic and heartless album, but it does seem to have a soul, a distressed, hopeless soul.
The album opes with the fierce 'Electricity', which drives on hammering Ministry percussion and sheer brutality. Vocals range from emotional clean singing to sludge and post-metal screams and even some death growls here and there. The way in which Silver Snakes blend those old school industrial influences with modern day post-hardcore is stunning. It results in a highly immersive version of both genres.
More songs follow and Nine Inch Nails often comes to mind. Well, not often, a lot. Reznor certainly has had his influence on Silver Snakes, not only in the industrial approach but also in the artistic freedom Silver Snakes allow themselves. 'Glass' and 'Devotion' are prime examples of do-whatever-you want metal, suited perfectly for the current era. It might be risky to make combinations like these, but here they certainly paid off.
'Dresden' is the best industrial shoegaze song I have ever heard, blending Slowdive and Jesu with Nine Inch Nails. No, I also never realized that there was a possibility for such a combination but damn, what a song. 'The Loss' seem to follow that example a little, perhaps nudging more towards Godflesh or even Eyehategod. So yes, it is quite a varied album and certainly an outstanding one.
I mentioned a few songs, but I really want to recommend checking out the entire album. Not only if you are an industrial fan but also if you simply like to know what the near future of metal is going to sound like. I think it's only a matter of time before this act arrives at the big stages, perhaps even recording a WWE pay-per-view theme or something. They certainly deserve that. Yeah, I'm impressed.
​Serge
