C​:​\​CHKDSK /F

It's important to go into things with an open mind, as I'm quick to assure anyone reading my online dating profile, or anyone with a passing interest in experimental metal albums. Master Boot Record, for instance, is an electronic metal project composed entirely with synthesized instruments. As most metalheads have a mild dislike for synthesizers the same way Senator McCarthy had a mild dislike for communism, I find myself with the difficult task of not only defending C:\CHKDSK /F but recommending it.

Pertinently, the waveforms used in C:\CHKDSK /F are consistent and mostly convincing. Although I'm sure purists would disagree with me, I feel these programmed instruments know their limitations and do not overstep their boundaries. Substituting the bass guitar is a deep, burbling square-wave that doesn't even pretend to sound authentic. On the other hand, rhythm guitars have a much more important role in labeling the genre 'metal', thus sound more convincing as a result. Although the presence of a drum machine couldn't be more obvious, drum patterns and fills take abundant influence from industrial metal. The lead guitar is more a mixed bag, oscillating between blatant synth and dubious authenticity from track to track.

'Format.exe' is an example where synth tone for the lead guitar is convincing. Riffs, while simplistic, are not outside the realm of reality, creating the effect of a fairly run-of-the-mill industrial metal instrumental. 'Bayarea.bmp', on the other hand, is where you'll need administrator privileges to run 'suspension_of_disbelief.exe'. Fretwork, or rather programmed tablature, is performed with understandably robotic precision. As creative as the arpeggios and riffs are, its asking a lot of metalheads to fully appreciate them. The aural equivalent of uncanny valley, there's something not quite right about this rigid, unnatural recital of sound. Though in this case, it's less creepy and more disengaging.

This high-energy hybrid of metal and electronica can lead to only one inevitable comparison. No, not Dragonforce. C:\CHKDSK /F sounds like music from a video game. Skittish arpeggios sound like they're straight out of the indie classic Super Meat Boy, while any sinister, foreboding chord progressions conjure up imagery of every controller-squeezing, thigh-punching boss battle from your childhood. Thus, Master Boot Record has rather wisely made the sole quantifier of its satisfaction subjective. "You'll like this music if you like this sort of music", it forces me to tell you.

Though I'm sure its churlish techno influence and slap-in-the-face-obvious use of a drum machine is nothing short of treasonous to my more traditional readers, but as I said in the beginning, you must approach this with an open mind. I'm pleased to report that, at least from a musical standpoint, this is competently strung-together and makes for an enjoyable listen overall. Just don't let anyone catch you listening to it.

Standout tracks:
MSDOS.SYS, VIRTUAVERSE.GIF

Related listening:
T3chn0ph0b1a - Grave New World
Neurotech - Evasive