Review Summary: Static-X opts for a somewhat different and new style on their 6th full length album. To an extent it is a success, but it also fails in certain areas.
In 2007, Static-X released Cannibal. The album was a great turn in the right direction for them, featuring a lot of Guitar Solos planted in the songs which they had previously stayed away from like a lot of metal bands back in the day. 2 years later, they release Cult of Static, which frontman Wayne Static says is a tribute to their very loyal fan base. This album is different from the others, even Cannibal in the way the songs sound and are presented.
Musically, it is both a departure and a continuation of the sound they went for with Cannibal and their previous albums. Although the production is ok, some of the songs might sound like the band recorded them in a garage while jamming out as opposed to in a nice recording studio and all. Its a lot more raw then their previous efforts. Wayne Static growls his way through almost every song on here, rarely showing the clean vocals that were so evident on Shadow Zone (which isnt all THAT bad as his growls work better for the music they make). The guitar work is similar to that of Cannibal - Static and mainly lead guitarist Koich Fukuda put out some catchy riffs on songs like Lunatic, Stingwray, and Hypure. Fukuda solos on almost every track on the album and does some good work in that field (check the solos on You Am I and Terminal for an example of this). Tony Campos provides deep, heavy bass lines to each song and gets his moments to shine in and out of the verses every now and then when the bass is audible. His backup vocals are also an important factor here as he uses them in almost every song as well, providing a roaring backup to Static's growls, sounding almost demonic on songs like Isolaytore. Drummer Nick Oshiro doesn’t do anything special on this record, but the drums in Static-X have never been much of a highlight lately. The drums work as a good rhythm section combined with Campos' bass lines and it works fine for what it is.
The lyrics are what you would expect Static to write on the previous records, and might not appeal to some as boring and not anything special. The album's first single, Stingwray, is actually a standout track. It shows the style that the band decided to go for with this album and has catchy guitar riffs that get your head banging. The only thing about this song that might make it a failure are the lyrics, which focus on Static's wife Tera and her Corvette Stingwray....a topic which some might find dumb and uninspired. Another standout track is Skinned, which has good screamed vocals from Static and a good solo from Fukuda with a heavy, audible bass line. Tera-Fied is a song that shows the heavy industrial sound that Static-X are famous for, although there are several moments on this album where sampling is used of course....it is after all an Industrial Metal band we are talking about here. It's just more prominent on certain songs more than others.
Overall, Cult of Static is a solid effort. Is it better than Cannibal? I don't think so but some might think it is. Is it better than Wisconsin Death Trip? No way. Their new style won't be welcomed by all, but it is good in certain areas. It succeeds but it also fails. The main flaw the band have had ever had since the release of Wisconsin Death Trip is that they have tried to improve and duplicate that classic, great album in different ways such as adding guitar solos and changing their sound a bit trying to make a better version of their debut. Maybe if this formula was changed, the band could make some truly incredible tunes. Pick this up and give it a listen if you are a fan of the band or are looking for some catchy new metal tunes. It’s not bad at all, it’s decent.
