Review Summary: Collide have finally released an album that matches their abilities.
Collide haven’t made a noticeably excellent album in quite some time. In fact, ever since their album,
Chasing The Ghost, they’ve been chasing the ghost of their former greatness, always attempting, but never succeeding. This has resulted in two forgettable albums (
Two Headed Monster and
Some Kind of Strange), and a whole lot of wasted time – eleven long years, to be exact. However, as if in answer to our disgruntlement, Collide have created something they have always been capable of. I guarantee you that no one saw this coming considering the dismalness of their previous album.
Counting To Zero shows a veteran band starting over, returning to original form. Nothing is more welcome than this. For an album that is completely dedicated to their fans, they have definitely given them something to cherish.
Counting To Zero is an elegant combination of new ideas combined with the power of old, and it’s absolutely stunning. Every twist and turn pleases, as KaRIN’s tempting vocals writhe snake-like through the lush industrial/electronic garden. The spotlight is indeed on the female singer, for the electronic aspect isn’t as suffocating as old. The atmosphere is certainly expansive, but they do not try particularly hard at filling every single nook and cranny. It is their sexiest, classiest album, with the vocalist as her usual seductress self, and the music as a means to embody her emotions. It often feels like an olden club with KaRIN as the showgirl, while a horde of smoking, hat-wearing men smile and whistle in their wooden seats.
The perfect soundtrack to a walk through a haunted house,
Counting To Zero makes no compromises. The atmosphere is a creepy one, and this time it actually gives the spooks. “Lucky 13 comes around” are the opening lyrics, as the message sinks in from the singer’s dark, sinister voice inflections. A tingle runs down the spine, but the listening must continue, for it takes you to the edge of your fears, and firmly grips you there. The music isn’t necessarily cacophonous, but KaRIN’s horror queen attitude mingled with ghostly, subliminal industrial whispers are certainly enough to exude bumps in the night.
Collide have always been in the background, creating their music and not expecting much attention. With this album, however, their voice is truly heard. They deserve legitimate attention for creating such an excellent album, and who knows, perhaps it will give them the applause they deserve. It would be in your best interest to expose yourself to
Counting To Zero.
