Carfax Abbey- Second Skin

I first fell in love with Carfax Abbey back when I first heard “Soul to Bleed” from “The Music from The Succubus Club” compilation on Dancing Ferret Records. When I heard their album “American Gothic”, I thought they were good, and had a few really catchy gothic- industrial tracks. As much as I liked Carfax Abbey, I have always looked for more power in their music and more heavy melodies. I got to see them play live, they were really good, but I remember they never played “Soul to Bleed” the night I saw them. When I popped in “Second Skin” the new CD released in April 2004, I noticed something different very fast. I felt the power I had hoped for within their music. If you are not familiar with Carfax Abbey, they have an industrial rock edge like you would here in KMFDM or Nine Inch Nails, and killer electronics on the darker side. At times their sound can have a heavier Gary Numan feel as well. This new CD has catchy melodies and pounding beats that really lift up above the heavy guitar and bass. There are so many moment during this CD where you just want to listen to it again, like the ending on “Cry Little Sister”. This is much more listenable then the first CD I heard by them. I feel Carfax Abby has grown so much with this CD and will be climbing up within the scene when people get a chance to listen to this CD. The band has set their own style on this CD that I feel really works for them. I hope that they remind heavy with their sound with pleasing melodies. Tracks that I would recommend would be, “The Healing,” “Flush to the Floor,” “Second Skin,” “Cry Little Sister,” “ Losing Face”, and “Gifted Life”, which really bring out this power and melody that will make you want to listen to this band over and over again. Now, here is your homework, please put this CD on “Gifted Life,” and when you come to the part around three minutes and thirty seconds. Then, close your eyes and just listen to the guitar solo. It is an amazing guitar solo with a heavy riff that totally rocks. All I can say is brilliant. Now, take the same part of the song and in your mind strip away the guitar solo and listen to that programming sequence. Beautiful I say! It just really sums up how powerful their music really is on this CD. I am really pleased with the new CD and how polished it sounds. I give this CD a big- thumbs up! This is a CD to really get excited about, and a band to look out for on tour with the new music from this CD.

www.carfaxabbey.com