Circle of Dust - Circle of Dust (1995)^{Release ID: 4250}

It was hard for me to decide which Circle of Dust album to review first, their re-recorded debut or their second but first canon album Brainchild. Ultimately I've chosen this one because I think it's a more proper start to Celldweller founder Klayton's first project. This album was originally recorded in 1991 and released in 1992, but Klayton really hated, like "not caring if it's a strong word" HATED the original album. He especially disliked two of the songs from that album, "Technological Disguise" and "Senseless Abandon", and that's why they've never been re-recorded, only appearing in remastered form in a recent demo compilation.

I have to say, I agree with Klayton there. The original album is so bizarre, dull, and doesn't have any metal in their industrial sound. And he had the right idea of scrapping those two dreaded songs. This re-recorded edition is way better! It has stronger, more metallic guitars without sacrificing any of the industrial melody, setting the right direction for the band. Also I'm reviewing the 2016 deluxe remastering which includes a second disc of special treats not to be missed out on.

"Exploration (Redux)" wasn't originally in the re-recording, but adding it to the remaster has made a greater beginning, like a sample-filled electro-metal overture. Songs like this made me up to checking out Klayton's other projects like Argyle Park and the more popular Celldweller. Thanks so d*mn much, Klayton! Seriously! For "Onenemy", the lyrics are quite good, and the sound makes me think of Linkin Park gone The Prodigy. "Four cycles moving gone, three dark days and death is on, two wishing to fulfill, only one enemy to kill!" However, much of the structure in the sound is quite mild. Luckily, the breakdown that starts the last minute is something to really love! "Demoralize" continues building the band's wall of sound with heavy guitars. "Self Inflict" fires away with the usual industrial metal. It's amazing how someone (me) who has spent time with deathcore bands like Chelsea Grin can also enjoy some melodic industrial metal.

The next song "Rational Lies" has different effects, leading up a perfect ending of black metal-ish tremolos within the industrial beat before fading into ambient oblivion. Also the remastering has made the vocals and samples stand out a lot more than both the original and the original re-recording. It's more dynamic and listenable, fixing a problem often found in industrial metal production. Thunderous drums in "Nightfall" match the crushing guitars. "Twisted Reality" is another twisted industrial-fueled track, similar to some of Fear Factory's remixes. That reminds me, should Circle of Dust and Fear Factory collaborate and remix each other's tracks? I sure hope so. "Consequence" is a more brutal track while still melodic.

"Dissolved" is filled with industrial metal intensity, something that was rare in the Christian scene that Klayton has since distanced himself from. "Nothing Sacred" is another brilliant highlight and it's proves that there is sacredness in this music. "Parasite" is the best highlight for me, an awesome piece of industrial rock/metal greatness! It's almost like a sequel to "Exploration". The final track in the original re-recording "Bed of Nails" was originally a hidden track embedded with the previous one. It still has some of that earlier vibe from Nine Inch Nails along with some experimentation similar to Grin-era Coroner.

Now we come to the bonus disc 2, starting with "Neophyte", a new track that would appear in the Machines of Our Disgrace while sounding like a B-side from the debut. I absolutely love the Blue Stahli remix of "Nothing Sacred". Bret Autrey's futuristic stylings give an already great song more life. "Onenemy" has been given an acoustic version which is fine. We also have the original 1992 "Exploration", fun but not as strong as the redux. The 1990 demo of "Demoralize" lacks the heavy guitars of the re-recording.

The remaining bonus tracks are late 80s "Dust" instrumental demo tracks and instrumental versions of two other bonus tracks which are great but don't do too much. I'll give my 4.5 star rating to the main album. Nine Inch Nails electronics, thrashy riffing, audio samples, and Christian-ish lyrics.... They don't get more memorable than they are here!

Favorites: "Exploration (Redux)", "Self Inflict", "Rational Lies", "Twisted Reality", "Nothing Sacred", "Parasite", "Neophyte", "Nothing Sacred" (Blue Stahli remix)