Tectonics

Melding industrial inspirations with a mechanically dark nature, P.H.O.B.O.S. aim to recapture the atmosphere of bands like the much revered Godflesh here on “Tectonics”. For the most part, the brainchild of Frederic Sacri, listeners can expect cold, steely manipulations of sound designed to paint a bleak landscape of sonic thunder.

As the composer trudges through dirging passages of pure steel and molten lava, the listener is compelled to enter the dark underworld of dissonance that is P.H.O.B.O.S., with tracks such as “Nietzschean Dynamics” and “Nihil Credo” sounding as if they were forged at the Earth’s very core. Electric techno-doom prevails as the record continues.

Aurally bleak percussive tones are enhanced by forceful axe grinding, digital effects and raw, raspy growls that beckon you to step even further into a vast, uncertain abyss as the album progresses. “Gregarious” is hugely gritty, an industrial strength dose of robotic pounding that makes Trent Renzor look like a schoolgirl in comparison. Steely and as sharp as a fine Japanese sword, “Monochrome Red” takes you on a harsh journey into that which is purely electric; it’s employing saturated guitars for maximum squealing effect as a plodding beat pounds the listening subject into submission.

If you loved Godflesh’s “Streetcleaner”, this is an album that you will certainly want to pick up, as it thoughtfully expands on those bitter emotions in a soullessly pleasurable manner.