Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Pitchshifter - Industrial (1991)

3 bands, Godflesh, Ministry, and KMFDM, started in the early 80s, but did not start metalizing their electronic/industrial sound until the late 80s (Godflesh and Ministry) and mid-90s (KMFDM). In between, Pitchshifter was formed in the same year as the release of Godflesh's Streetcleaner, as one of the first bands to fully start as industrial metal, with their 1991 album Industrial! Don't think of this band as a Godflesh rip-off though. They've worn their influences on a sleeve, rather than an entire suit.

One thing to make sure Pitchshifter isn't simply copying Godflesh is, they're closer to thrash-ish territory. The Godflesh-like sludge and the Killing Joke-like punk is blended with other sounds for something unique...

"Landfill" is a prime example of using Godflesh's industrial metal formula. They just repeat the same riff throughout, and even the lyrics are minimal. It's just "Hate, I hate, hate, I hate you motherf***er, drown, bleed, I wish you could." They even mix in a few samples with slow guitars/drums. Despite the repetition, I enjoy that one. Fear Factory made their own cover of that song over two decades later. Truly brutal in the bleak yet pleasant rhythm is "Brutal Cancroid".

"Gravid Rage" is another highlight of industrial metal machinery with convincing growls by Mark Clayden. Oh yeah, Mark is the bassist of the band, but he also performed vocals in this album. His brother J.S. would take over on vocals from their Submit EP onwards, though he's done additional vocals in their debut. Next song "New Flesh" continues the downtuned guitar riffing, alongside vocal samples talking about murder and prison. "Catharsis" is another standout, in which black metal-ish guitar tremolos plays over doomy sludge, maintaining the industrial mix.

"Skin Grip" has some of Pantera's forceful groove, but it's still a pummeling crusher like in Fear Factory's debut album next year. "Inflammator" has some riffing that nicely give you the feeling of a crash test dummy in a test car slamming into a wall, without actually experience it of course. "Eye" is an ominous ending for the album, with the usual unique crushing riffs that can let industrial metal fans see eye-to-eye.

Any Godflesh fan can enjoy this debut album from Pitchshifter. While they have a slightly better sound in their next album Desensitized, Industrial shows how influenced and influential they've been. They started out pretty great, but they would have a more solidified sound a couple years later....

Favorites: "Landfill", "Gravid Rage", "Catharsis", "Skin Grip"