"Videodrone" are one of the newest bands to come of the Korn upstart label Elementree. Following closely on the heels of another electronic heavy Elementree alumni Orgy, "Videodrone" also come from the school of wired music. But, unlike their brooding label mates, "Videodrone" is a lighter, and weaker, offering. The sonic range is impressive, as with most bands who rely on electronics to portray their emotions, but it's what they do with this range that falls short. Progressions tend to be slow and plodding, no matter how break-beat they program the drums. Vocals come off rather shallow in their attempt at portraying genuine angst, feeling more like a rehearsed anger. With the Korn contact so readily evidenced (Jonathan Davis - Korn singer - even guests on the opening track "Ty Jonathan Down"), it's no wonder the singer tries to emote and whisper/whine like the Korn frontman. It comes off somewhat contrived. There's just no bite in the bark.

Lyrics are often small and forgettable "Living...barely surviving...Freebasing life till it's end" sung in bad Bowie-esque baritone opens the dragging track "Alone With 20 Bucks." The problem is this, "Videodrone" is an electronic band lacking in most elements that make this genre a desirable listen. There is no hook, little in the way of juicy beats, mostly uninteresting samples and key sounds and completely forgettable vocal presence. There are times when "Videodrone" try and get loud, but it comes from layers of production rather than true song dynamic, and even if the music gets moving, those false whisper vocals do nothing but drag down the pace.

That is not to say "Videodrone" are completely incapable of generating an original mood. The movement of the chorus in the (again) ploddingly slow "Faceplant" creates a sincere idea, but the general blah pace of the song cancels out this aspect. "Human Piñata" showcases the singer's inability to throw down a rap-style approach, but the hammer punch of the guitars and pace of this song, is one of the stronger offerings on this release. "Pigs In A blanket" works much better, but I think there is a guest singer doing a higher, nasal, quick-time delivery, broken apart by the trade-mark slow sludge and lackluster vocals of the normal "Videodrone" sound.

Electronic heavy bands are a dime a dozen nowadays, and bands like "Videodrone" aren't doing much to progress the genre. If this type of thing is your fix, I'd suggest finding it elsewhere.

© 1999 by Mary Ellen Gustafson