Band/Artist: Angelspit
Release House: Black Pill Red Pill
Genre: Industrial/EBM
One Sentence Synopsis: Angelspit’s second installment of the Hexe trilogy
Series: Hexe Trilogy
Single/EP/Album: Album
Release Date: 10-16-20
Running Time: 58 Min
MSRP: $10 (digital) $17 (CD)
Website: Click Here
Sample/Music Video: Click Here
Purchase Site: Click Here
Reviewed by: Reverend Leviathan
Final Score: 4.5 Moons (Out of 5.0)
In 2019, industrial/cyberpunk act Angelspit released Bang Operative, the first installment of the “Hexe Trilogy.” Their ninth album, The Ignorance Cartel, is the second part of this series and features guest vocals from Brian Graupner (Gasoline Invertebrate) and Melody Lynn (Queen of the Static Opera). According to Zoog Von Rock, it was written in LA in the 12 months leading up to the Covid outbreak and produced during the turmoil of the worldwide pandemic lockdown, and it brings an eerily predictive account of the horrors that are everywhere inside our social media induced paranoia.
Theme
Contrary to its predecessor, The Ignorance Cartel is far more aggressive and industrial heavy unlike the new wave influence that was on Bang Operative. And when I say “industrial heavy” I mean, you might actually have images of conveyor belts and other factory machinery going through your head (as you hear the sounds sampled right on the first track “Eat the Children”). So much instrumentation going on in one track you might find yourself focusing on a different sound each time you listen. “Don’t Say” is probably my favorite, as it’s a really good blend of the industrial and EBM influence, and the chorus is powerful: “The world is on fire, but don’t say ‘cunt’; children killing each other, but don’t say ‘cunt’; the future is dead, but don’t say ‘cunt’; this is the end, but don’t say ‘cunt.’”
The main concept being Authoritarianism and the mind-control and brainwashing that is present in social media, the internet and news, it is truly an album of our generation. Willful ignorance is something I despise, and it was really awesome hearing an album speak so much on the issue as it’s very prevalent this year. I think the song “Little Bastards” said it best: This is the future you were worried about.
Presentation
When it comes to precision with mixing and mastering, Angelspit doesn’t play around. As stated previously, there are a lot of different instruments and sounds going on in each song, but it’s put together so well that it doesn’t sound like a bunch of noise. And even when it is quite literally noise, it’s done so well that it accents the music. Zoog Von Rock has always caught my attention with the beats and harmonies that he puts together on his albums, and The Ignorance Cartel is a testament to this skill. You can really focus on them in the instrumental track “Spade.”
Though most of the songs are aggressive industrial rock and fast paced, I really liked how “Easy” and “All Puppet No Master” change it up a little with the slower rhythm, no real heavy guitars, strong electro industrial influence, and Zoog’s vocals are softer and sung. The mood change is nice, and it was also pleasant to give my neck a little rest from whiplash, as these songs are more in the vein of head nodders than head bangers.
Audience Fit
Those who are into electronic music, rivetheads and cyberpunks would greatly appreciate the album and its focus on authoritarianism. Angelspit fans who like more of the industrial influence over the new wave will be extremely satisfied, as every song on here is a banger.
Closing Thoughts
If 2020 had a soundtrack, The Ignorance Cartel would be it. Angelspit masterfully conveys all of the insanity and stupidity that we have seen this year surrounding politics and the pandemic, especially on social media.
Theme: 5.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Presentation: 4.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
Audience Fit: 5.0 Moons (out of 5.0)
Final Score (not an average): 4.5 Moons (out of 5.0)
