My Attempt at Industrial at My Website

xhilr8d

I’m finishing up a website that is all about ME! How interesting, i know… I’ve also been trying to create my own industrial music. I’ve posted a few tracks if you navigate to either the SoundClick/iLike links on the main page or if you preview the album under the Music tab. Please leave comments/criticism anyway possible.

For the tracks I’ve primarily used Propellerhead Reason 4.0. The software is amazing for creating any type of electronica music. I’ve concentrated on using the Thor for most of my synths. I often use the Malstrom for bumpin’ bass sounds. I’ve experimented with a few cool effects such as Sidechain Compression which makes the beat just pound. I’m looking for more strategies to get that distinct industrial sound. I’ve also started recording vocals into the tracks. How do artists such as Psyclon Nine and Grendel get those inhuman vox effects?! I use my M-Audio Keystation Pro 88 to throw in lines.

Thanks for the taking the time to check out the site. Again, comments and criticism are welcome.

My Top 5 Current Industrial Artists

These are my top five industrial bands that are still kicking to this day. Many have collaborated and remixed each other’s tracks. They have brought the industrial sound to the world and are continuing to poison the youth of today.

5. VNV Nation

This group started off in London in 1990. They are very philosophically and politically driven and hold the motto “Victory Not Vengeance” as part of their name. Their sound includes elements from electronic body music, synthpop, trance, and more.  Most recently, they released the album entitled “Judgment” in 2007. They also hosted a world tour to promote the very influential album. For 2009, they are slated to release “Of Faith, Power and Glory”.

4. Nine Inch Nails

Noone can deny how much Nine Inch Nails has done for the industrial scene. They have brought the noise into the mainstream. Trent Reznor, the genius responsible for the music, has stated that this year might be the last tour for the group. He has recently released a few tracks and is continuing to make music.

3. KMFDM

These guys have been around since before I was born. They released the album “Blitz” this year and have continued to keep their audience intrigued. Their sound and style is very recognizable. They have done so much to influence the world of industrial with over 15 studio albums. Members have formed side projects and the group has remixed many other songs.

2. Psyclon Nine

One of the hidden treasures that I’ve discovered. Their sound shreds so hard. Nero’s reptillian vocals are so distinguishable. The group, out of Castro Valley, CA, has recently started incorporating Black Metal attributes to their music. “Crwn Thy Frnicatr” was released in 2006 and brought new flavor to the ever-expanding genre. They are currently in the process of recording their next studio album entitled “We the Fallen”.

1. Combichrist

These ‘electroheads’ are tearing up the scene. They rock you with aggrotech and powernoise beats. They headlined a world tour this year after releasing “Today we are all Demons”. Millions everywhere are dancing and moving to tracks such as “Get Out of My Head” and “Sent to Destroy”. We cannot wait to hear what else they have up their sleeves.

Where to find it

Industrial music is not something you’re going to find at the downtown bar or music festival. You’re going to have to go to a bit more effort in order to quench your thirst for harsh electronica. Your best bet is to hit up your nearest big city. The scene is hard to find as there are few as demented as us.

If you live along the coasts of the United States you are in luck. Check out San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York. These cities each have clubs dedicated to the genre. San Francisco has a great venue called the DNA Lounge that hosts “danceable industrial and EBM”.

Outside of the United States you are likely to find some good sound in Germany, Norway, and Sweden. They are the homes to acts such as KMFDM, :wumpscut:, Kraftwerk, and more. You will even hear some industrial in Canada where groups including Front Line Assembly and Skinny Puppy were born.

Your best chance at finding industrial music is to look up when and where your favorite artists are playing. It is truly worth it to witness the live experience. You will meet many who are even stranger than you.

My Experience with Industrial music

I was attending a Mindless Self Indulgence concert at Slim’s in San Francisco when I first witnessed the music, culture, and feeling that is Industrial. To open for MSI was a band called Psyclon Nine. Reigning from Castro Valley, they brought harsh electronic sounds with shredding, reptillian vocals. The band’s presence was undeniable. The lead singer, Nero Bellum, was covered in latex paint, tattoos such as “Ubermensch”, and red, spiky hair. The other members consisted of a bassist, drummer, and keyboard player. They sung of apocalypse and anti-Christianity. This left a lasting impression on me. An impression that forced me to explore deeper into this world.
From there I searched for popular artists that fell under the genre. I quickly fell in lust and love with groups such as Combichrist, Grendel, and KMFDM. It was simply a sound that I’d never heard before. I had listened to metal and electronica before. The only way I could explain Industrial, back then, was a combination of the two.

I decided to explore the scene that surrounds the music. I found a whole new counterculture movement. These people dressed drastically differently than any other culture I’d seen before. They often sported neon-colored, synthetic dreads. They wore lots of black with straps and metal. It can only be described as “industrial attire”. These freaks even had their own dance style.

I was young in high school when I attended my first strictly industrial show. It was at the DNA Lounge in San Francisco. Combichrist was headlining and luckily it was an all ages show. The venue was very comfortable. It is usually a 21+ club so it had a more mature feel. Many people lurked as we waited for the acts to start. I felt underaged and underdressed but I was genuinely excited. Soon enough, two opening bands had finished and people started chanting, “Combichrist! Combichrist!”. The group eventually came out and they dramatically altered the feeling of the room. The lead singer was large and in charge. Their songs tore through your very skull. “Get Your Body Beat” rocked you to your very core. A pit gradually formed and I got my body pretty beat. Combichrist came back for two encores. I never wanted it to end.

After these experiences, I decided to try my hand at creating industrial music. I’ve experimented in programs such as Reason 4.0 and I’ve used various sound modules and synthesizers. I am still working hard at finding the sound.

My attempt at industrial music (along with other junk) can be found at:

http://www.soundclick.com/xhilr8d

http://ilike.com/artist/xhilr8d