Steril- Realism

Artist: Steril
CD Title: Realism
Label: Artoffact Records
Reviewer: Matthew Johnson
Date: 10-29-06

The things that immediately jump out at you are the slamming EBM rhythms and monstrous metal guitars. This is music that kicks you in the face with steel-toed combat boots. The interesting thing, though, is that once you get past the beats and bluster, Steril have actually made some surprisingly complex songs. Opening track "Realist," in particular, goes through several distinct movements; it might not have the obvious classical cachet of Laibach or Attrition, but this is an industrial symphony of sorts nonetheless. "The Unknown," on the other hand, is less neo-classical than progressive, starting off with a Halloween music montage of chirping crickets and menacing music boxes before developing into a mixture of electronic beats and vaguely psychedelic vocals, a bit like early '90s Pink Floyd crossed with Front 242. Lest this be confused for pseudo-intellectual twaddle, however, there are still plenty of straightforward fist-pumpers in addition to the more esoteric elements. "Statik" is standard but solid club fare, with German and English growls between floor-shaking drum machines, while "American Dream" is funky enough to dance to but boils over with snarling aggression. Just because you can be a deep thinker, Steril seems to be saying, doesn't mean you can't tear things up on the floor and in the pit.

Go to www.sterilmusic.com for more information.