Videodrone

Talk about innovation and originality! I haven't heard anything quite like Videodrone. Comparisons to both KoRn and Orgy are popular, but only warrant a laugh. Videodrone are not Metal, Nü-Metal, or Hard Rock--Videodrone are barely even rock, as guitars are only used in a few songs. They come off like something of another realm. Put it this way: If Trent had made "Pretty Hate Machine" today, had a (slight) Jane's Addiction influence (in the sense of oddness), and a (slight) flirt with Sisters Of Mercy (vocal-wise), throw in some of the best keyboard work since The Cure's "Disintegration," and you might have something like this. Maybe. A big maybe. "Videodrone" is caught somewhere between Synth-Pop and Industrial, but the band seem more willing to rock--except they rarely use guitars. Songs like "Closer To Coma" (personal favorite song) are more daring than anything Depeche Mode has ever tried (that's not a knock on Depeche Mode, as I think they're a great band, as well), while "Ty Jonathon Down" sound better than anything Orgy has to offer (that's not a knock on them either, as I love that band, too). "Ty Jonathon Down," in particular, has a very dark tone to it. Not evil like Slayer, but more akin to the hopelessness that Bauhaus carries (who? Go look up your Death-Rock, kiddies). In fact, your local undead DJ might get away with playing "The Devil's Sweepstakes" at your local Goth-Industrial club (Lord knows I wish my local DJ would...oh, wait, I don't even have a Goth-Industrial club in this lame town. Aaargh!). Videodrone even cover an old (well, I guess they're all old, now) L.A.P.D. song (featured members of KoRn before KoRn had taken shape), "Jesus (Lord Of The Apes)." That doesn't come as a surprise considering that A. Videodrone are friends wth KoRn. B. They're signed to Korn's label. And C. Fieldy produced this album (and he did an amazing job, I might add). "Jesus (Lord Of The Apes)" is an amazing cover, easily outshining the original. "Power Tools For Girls" is an interesting song, if only because of the serial killer-like lyrics Ty sings (hint: power tools and girls). It's definitely different, and ultimately fun, if not odd. "L.S.D. (Lucifer's Stained Dress)" is not unlike "Power Tools For Girls," but not as lyrically morbid; rather, the song is funny (the woman yelling at the guy to get out of her apartment). Despite my highest praise for the album, "Videodrone" isn't without its faults. The first two, and biggest, faults are "Human Piñata" and "C.O.B. (Silent Night)." The former has rappers in it. Granted, I'm not a Rap fan, but if I MUST listen to the stuff, at least have rappers that aren't as dumb as Juvenile, please. "Human Piñata" fails to do so. "C.O.B. (Silent Night)" is a cover of, you guessed it, "Silent Night." For obvious reasons, the song is horrible. It drifts on and on after the "song" is finished with odd noises. Another small fault is the guitarist and bassist, David File and Mavis. They're rarely used, which is ultimately a good thing considering how things worked out on the album, but fail to do much when given their moments. It's not that they're bad musicians, they're not at all, their parts just needed more emphasis to make a lasting impression. The other members of Videodrone, however, are nothing short of brilliant. Ty Elam's voice sounds like a cross between Peter Murphy's (Bauhaus) and Jonathon Davis' whispers and yelps (or whatever he calls it). Very, very nice. And lyrically, Ty never ceases to amaze. Rohan is one of the best, if not the best, keyboard players in recent memory (minus Trent Reznor, of course). Rohan creates lush and dark sounds so beautiful I'd love to see him make a solo album. Kris Kohls though is unbelievable. His love for Hip-Hop and Trip-Hop are evident throughout the entire CD. There's never a beat out of place; the guy just makes you want to dance, dance, and guess what? Dance. All in all, "Videodrone" is a very unique CD that was sadly overlooked by mainstream buyers. Perhaps it was the way the band was marketed, as, like mentioned earlier, Videodrone are not Metal in any way, shape, or form. You can't mosh to music that makes you dance, ya know (well, you could, but you might look a tad out of place). Of all the neo-Industrial bands, Videodrone is easily the best, as they not only add something to the genre, but do so magnificently. "Videodrone" is very much worth checking into, even if you hate KoRn and Orgy. Not perfect, but so close it counts, as their originality makes up for that. If you liked this CD, I recommend checking out Orgy's "Vapor Transmission;" Nine Inch Nails' "Pretty Hate Machine;" and if you're feeling brave, Skinny Puppy's "Too Dark Park."

As you may or may not know, Videodrone I the second band signedto elementree records, the KoRn founded record label, and it seemsthat KoRn really know about music, because Videodrone is nothing short to breathtaking, the self titled debut is filled with industrial music in the vein of Nine Inch Nails and Orgy, but still they do it in a way that its very original, Ty Jonathan Down is a very haunting song, featuring in the vocal line one Jonathan Davis, Face Plant is a very weird song (Actually every song is weird) having some weird guitar and sampling, Human Piñata is a rap-techno-industrial-metal feel, and has appearances of Fred Durst and Mr. DJ Lethal, Jesus Lord of The Apes is a cover of L.A.P.D., the group that Munky, David and Fieldy had before KoRn, the song Closer to Coma is also an excellent song with some very good guitar work and good bass playing, Power tools for girls has Korn's head playing guitar over some dense sampling and strange vocals. It seems that Fieldy can be a very good producer; his producing in this record is excellent, nothing more to say but buy this ( ). END

If you're a music fan looking for something different- then this album surely is it. With a combination of styles such as rock, techno, rap, and industrial, there's practically no going wrong. Featured on the album is Jonathan Davis & Head (Korn) as well as Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit). If you like Orgy or Korn, it's likely that you'll love Videodrone. Even those who despise Korn & Limp Bizkit have found this album to be a pleasureful change from the norm. The song 'Faceplant' is similar to a club track, and the song 'Ty Jonathan Down' is an instant eargasm. I recommend checking out some audio clips first, and if you like them, then purchase the album. Also check into Cradle Of Thorns (their old name) & the compiliation CD 'The Hard & The Heavy'.