Genitorturers - Blackheart Revolution (2009)^{Release ID: 50288}

Genitorturers is a band I never thought would intrigue me, considering their notorious BDSM themes in the music and shows. However, their 90s material is actually worth enjoying and listening to, at least remotely. But how does their comeback album Blackheart Revolution work out? Not quite as well...

I shouldn't be too surprised. After all, they were trying to restore their earlier provocative imagery, but it was a sign that they needed to move on with the times. Their dance-y industrial/alt-metal sound does not have the same spark in the 2000s as it had in the 90s. Around that time, people had already moved from the latex and leather aesthetic, and the only people to still get their ideas were the band's die-hard fans.

"Revolution" starts the album with some rock crunch, but the depth just isn't the same as it was in their earlier material. The next track "Kabangin' All Night" isn't too bad, but it has too much of a rockabilly sound. "Devil in a Bottle" totally rocks out with its Rob Zombie vibe and makes up a lot for the album's earlier fails.

"Louder" is a KISS-like rock-out anthem to get you pumped. I enjoy the nice soloing there. Then we have another nice alt-ish anthem in "Falling Stars" that's more melodic while still heavy. The guitar distortion of their 90s material is blended with an old-school rhythm that can easily be tapped by tambourine. "Take It" has some more of the catchy heavy rock melody that has made a little optimistic about where this album might lead. Unfortunately, the next track "Confessions of a Blackheart" goes to back to the album's lower quality, trying its hardest to show Gen's spooky persona but ends up falling flat.

I don't wanna talk much about "C*m Junkie", which is just a techno-pop sh*tter. They were so much better than that! However, "Vampire Lover" restores the album's earlier greatness with the best Gen's gothic vocals. "Tell Me" is another perfect rocker that I think any rock/metal fan should at least try. iTunes bonus track "2 Faced Traitor" is rather pointless, being another dance track that's 4 minute long, followed by 6 minutes of silence.

All in all, the stylistic tendencies of Genitorturers were not fully fulfilled in Blackheart Revolution. Having not grown well and losing some relevance in their sound, this is only for the true longtime fans of this band. The new fans would wonder where the band's spark has gone....

Favorites: "Devil in a Bottle", "Falling Stars", "Take It", "Vampire Lover", "Tell Me"