Review: Genghis Tron “Cloak of Love” CD

I'll be honest, seeing a band name like Genghis Tron with song titles like "Laser Bitch", it's kind of hard to expect much... but this is actually pretty cool. It's a little rough around the edges, and its zany and chaotic nature clashes with some of my personal listening tastes, but I have to give this trio credit for being fairly talented both with technical proficiency and as far as writing wild songs that aren't typical for styles related to this general approach. From flurries of blasting programmed percussion (drum machines are employed in that department) and scathing screams to lush synths and ethereal guitar effects, there's a lot going on. The only instruments employed are guitars, drum machines, keyboards, theremin, and lap steel, but bass isn't missed and they still cover a wide range with the material. "Arms" is chock full of technical death metal riffing, which carries over into "Ride the Steambolt" in a heavier direction that throws in some lower growls and sort of hints at more of a linear structure that's easier to follow; and "Laser Bitch" opens like a new wave tune, complete with computerized vocal effects and Depeche Mode sounding programming, later dropping some chunky power chords that sound like typical metalcore mosh heaven. Some of the keyboard sounds used aren't my thing at all, whereas when toned down and used against thicker percussion or reverberated guitar effects they can be quite effective. I definitely think the recording needs work, but it's not that bad either. I tend to find the guitar tones heavy but too unnatural sounding, having that harsh bite that direct line recordings usually carry, while the synths can be a little overpowering on occasion and the drum machines cut through the mix in areas. Aside from cleaning up the guitar tone my main suggestion would be to shoot for a really even mix that lets the elements have as much clarity as possible while still closing up some of the holes that exist as it stands now. The layout is really strange, using simple line illustrations that are pieced together sort of like stained glass windows or something, but instead of being filled with colored glass the shapes are filled with different shades and textures of wood. No lyrics are included, so you just get variations on that style of imagery along with some simpler shades of light brown coloring and a really busy design of multicolored triangles. I'll be curious to see where these guys go in the future if they can keep progressing as far as production quality is concerned. The drum programming is effective, the guitar playing is tight, they write killer riffs in a range of styles ("Sing Disorder" even hits on brief black metal, with "Rock Candy" flirting quickly with jazz or hipster indie rock), and even though there's a lot going on, this is cool. Just under 13 minutes is a good running time too, as nothing gets boring or overbearing, they just get crazy and call it quits. I'd like to hear the writing be barely more tangible in certain circumstances, but they're far better writers than most bands that are kind of hitting on these humorous/lighthearted elements, so... there's a lot of potential on this one, and I'm intrigued.