The Oedipus Complex- Solicit Explicit Illusion

ARTIST: The Oedipus Complex

ALBUM: Solicit Explicit Illusion

LABEL: Shinto Records

REVIEWER: Matthew J.

DATE: 12-13-09

Featuring seven tracks of dark industrial-tinged experimentation, the new release from The Oedipus Complex is primitive but powerful, with tracks ranging from bleak dirges in the vein of early Coil to more playful experiments in darkly comedic social commentary and minimal dance. "Religion Lied" is as unsubtle as its title, a lo-fi dirge of plodding drumbeats, repetitive chords and spoken word, but if it tends to drone on, it suggests a primitive power that seems as though it'd be ideal for live shows. From there, things move into more dance-influenced territory, though you'd never mistake "In the Realm" for club music with its intense spoken word, sparse breakbeats and sampled porn moans. "Misexucated" recalls Psychic TV's socially subversive acid house period, pairing minimalist techno rhythms with an extended sample of a Catholic priest giving parents advice on teaching their children about sex (or, as he calls it, "the marriage act"). Moving into more downtempo territory, "Neolithic Freakout Session" and "Hellfire (Ron in Space)" borrow from dub as well as industrial, with wry humor creeping in again via samples of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on the latter track. While The Oedipus Complex's work tends to rely mainly on reverb-drenched drum machines and slow overdriven guitars, there are occasional forays into quieter territory, most overtly on "Burning Cloth," which adds hints of tinkling acoustic guitar to the mix. Still, this is more heavy than not, despite a generally slow tempo, and will appeal most to fans of classic experimental industrial acts like Test Dept. and Throbbing Gristle.

For more information, visit The Oedipus Complex on MySpace at www.myspace.com/oedipuslives.