Binary Park-The Deviated

Artist: Binary Park

CD title: The Deviated

Label: Metropolis Records

Genre: Industrial

Website: https://www.metropolis-records.com/artist/binary-park

Date: 11/09/2011

The Deviated is Binary Park's follow up to last year's Worlds Collide. Admittedly upon initial review of this album I was disappointed by the lyrics and down-tempo feel but further play revealed a much more complex and unique side to the band's new album.

The CD fuses elements of industrial rock with lots of atmosphere and experimental beats. Very Haujobb-esque in its approach but with a bit more structure and focus. I'll avoid any other generic descriptions and terminology that goes into a music review from here on. The Deviated is an album full of those slower, thoughtful songs that you hear on most industrial releases. Think tracks like NIN's That's what I get, or Icon of Coil's Down on Me. Songs that had that have that bite and edge of the harder and faster songs they bridge, but couldn't seem to pull themselves up from the emotional floor. Those songs that marked a moment of exhaustion or reflection between frantic anthems of rage and rebellion. That is what The Deviated is. There is this palpable tension and sense of hesitation in every track. This build up of anger or realization leading to an emotional breakthrough, but just as it is building to an boiling point, things calm back down. She's Insane is a perfect example of this feeling. The guitars and beats all plod along and start to build speed, threatening to turn the track into a four to the floor affair, but after said build up, they slink back down to their original pace letting the vocals and synthesizers carry that raised energy through the chorus.

Not all of the songs on the EP are like this. The Deviated or the Impact remix of Worlds Collide have a faster tempo and less atmosphere, and Lick the Blade sounds like it would be a perfect soundtrack for a Sci-Fi movie fight sequence. The whole album is perfect club fodder. Just don't expect anything to become hyper-explosive oontz fests. If you're a lyrics fiend, like I am, the amount of introspection and angst in some of the songs can wear on one's mood, but they do fit fit the overall mood of the album. This "calm rage" effect The Deviated creates can also become rather annoying after a long enough listen. I could think of a rather crude analogy here regarding building frustration with no release, but I'll leave that to you, the reader, to fill in.

All in all, The Deviated is a strong album for Binary Park. Frustrations aside the whole CD is a pleasurable listening experience from start to finish. It straddles both thought provoking experimental electro and 90's industrial rock nicely and masterfully manipulates the emotions of the listener. If you are looking for a very unique album to add to your collection, give this CD a chance, and you will not be disappointed.

DJ Kantrip

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Buy Binary Park- The Deviated