Harnessing the fury of Killing Joke and the man-vs-machine churn of Ministry for a new era
Although ‘Security’ is Fotocrime‘s fifth album, I have to admit they’re completely new to me. After a quick browse through the band back catalogue, it becomes obvious that this time, they’re aiming for a more aggressive approach with matching lyrics filled with overblown machismo at the nuclear chessboard, mental instability during crises, and tales of honest living in a corrupt world. This darkwave ensemble from Louisville (US) delivers sentiments of paranoia and impending doom.
Fotocrime is mainly Ryan Patterson, a musician, producer, visual artist and mastermind of such projects as Coliseum, Cat Magic Punks, Black Cross, and Shirt Killer. For ‘Security’ he’s joined by new members Benjamin Clark on guitar and David Cundiff on bass, with guest appearances from drummer Jay Weinberg (Suicidal Tendencies, ex-Slipknot) and legendary Napalm Death vocalist Barney Greenway.
‘Security’ starts off with the extremely catchy ‘Crimewave’ followed by the recent single ‘Plowjob’. With a heavy focus on guitar, bass, and drum machine, mostly recorded live in the studio, they’ve managed to capture the visceral power of a live performance and turned it into a forceful industrial steamroller.
‘Unthinkable’ is a respectful nod to Killing Joke or Murder Inc with the thunderous drums and industrial wall of sound. My personal favorite, the absolutely stunning ‘Intimidation’, is destined to be a dancefloor filler at Goth clubs all over the world.
For fans of the old material, fear not, there’s still poppy 80’s synth tinted ditties like the latest single ‘Grifter’ with Soviet-era analog synths upfront in the soundscape on offer.
Without being any kind of retro act, Fotocrime still took me on a pleasant ride down memory lane where, in addition to previously mentioned Killing Joke, names like The March Violets and Play Dead sprung to mind together with Ministry and 1919. To conclude, Fotocrime is a nice new acquaintance who I very much look forward to meeting again!
‘Security‘ drops on Friday 13th March via Artoffact – order on CD / Digital download HERE and on vinyl from Auxiliary / Shirt Killer HERE
The ‘Security’ Spring Tour of the US and Europe kicks off this month:
Mar 20 Louisville, KY — Zanzabar ~
Mar 27 Chicago, IL — The Burlington ^
Mar 28 Indianapolis, IN — Spellbound
Apr 10 Pittsburgh, PA — Smalls Funhouse
Apr 11 Philadelphia, PA — Kung Fu Necktie
Apr 12 Brooklyn, NY — TV Eye
Apr 13 Medford, MA — Deep Cuts
Apr 14 Syracuse, NY — Song & Dance *
Apr 15 Toronto, ON — BSMT254 ¢
Apr 16 Ottawa, ON — Club Saw ¢
Apr 17 Montreal, QC — Turbo Haus ¢
Apr 18 Buffalo, NY — Milkies *
Apr 19 Cleveland, OH — Grog Shop
May 08 Vienna, AT — Cafe Carina
May 09 Poznan, PL — Pod Minoga
May 10 Berlin, DE — Urban Spree
May 11 Hamburg, DE — Gruenspan +=
May 12 Cologne, DE — Live Music Hall +=
May 13 Karlsruhe, DE — P8 +=
May 15 Paris, FR — Le Chinois
May 16 Veytaux-Montreux, CH — Chateau Chillon §
May 17 Lucerne, CH — Sedel
May 19 Budapest, HU — Durer Kert =
May 20 Prague, CZ — Meet Factory +=
May 21 Brno, CZ — Kabinet
May 22 Wiesbaden, DE — Kreative Fabrik
May 23 Siegen, DE — Vortex Surfer %
# with Portraits of an Apparition
~ with Endpoint
^ with Clubdrugs & Exedo
¢ with Unwell
* with Bad Bloom
+ with Russian Circles
= with Pelican
§ with Night In Athens
% with Moving Targets
Main Photo Credit: NICK THIENEMAN
- Crimewave
- Plowjob
- Shockwave
- Unthinkable
- Disharmonizer
- Intimidation
- Dreamstate
- Cautious
- Grifter
- Security
Follow Fotocrime on Their Socials:
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