After the high success of last years 20th Anniversary world tour the reunited Wisconsin Death Trip lineup of Static-X has returned with the first of two volumes celebrating the life and music of late singer/guitarist Wayne Static Project Regeneration Vol. 1. Fan reaction proved there’s still a demand for more evil twisted disco.
The first volume offers 12 new tracks, with over 20 songs on both releases. Static’s final vocals and music is presented as a chance for fans to hear his swansongs the way they were meant to be heard, alongside the classic lineup. The mysterious Xer0 takes the helm on certain tracks providing a current voice, while tunes bring back memories and emotions of the frantic ringleaders talent and creativity on stage and off,
The loud, evil disco ball still hangs above the pit, flashing loud howls and screams of Static’s life and career, with the pulse of the club still pounding through guitar strings and speakers. Static’s music could still be the background to a good or bad acid trip.
Shadowing the vocals of Ministry and Korn under the flashing sphere’s spell it’s a mad-hatter’s, funhouse ball led by Static’s Dr. Frankenstein from beyond.
“Regeneration’s” opening audio clip says tragedy gives us the unexpected opportunity to rebuild as the computerized voice of a soul starts to rebuild the machine.
“Hollow” is a splendid blast of audio memory of Static setting the mood with a high energy heavy, electronic emotional vibe. Adrenaline starts to flow as guitar swirls with murky menace and headbanging motion. Three minutes of perfect staticity and an adrenaline soaker for new fans and old.
“Worth Dyin For” could be the new “Push It” while “Terminator Oscillator” rebuilds broken vessels with technology, with manic madness captured and bottled in a sprint race to the finish.
“My Destination” musically morphed layers of synthesized sound flowing like discarded ocean waves, surface broken by heavy axed riffed oars. The road to hell is paved with blood. Purgatory gets skipped with deeds done too great for repentance.
“Otsego Placebo” is an instant sci-fi classic dance and a shaking mix of metal and freaky effects. That’s boys one mean motherf——r.
“Follow” is a chemically enhanced shaky balance of Ministry and music to stomp the stage with. The dark postmortem poetic touch of “Dead Souls” ends things nicely. Like a musical portrait hung on a slowly decaying wall. It ends this collection with a dramatic mid-tempo embrace.
Vol. 1 is the first taste of Static’s loud electric kiss goodbye. It’s unknown if the X will continue after both are available but at the very least Static’s legacy is complete. The vessel is gone but the voice and music is here for all generations.
