Website: MSRP
MSRP could only be described as a hybrid band combining melodic metal, industrial aggression, and techno-pop flair. Would this also describe Stabbing Westward over a decade ago? You bet. But don’t expect a soundalike. MSRP steers a bit left of mainstream and welcomes complex melody lines with a touch of prog feel.
The biggest mark against One Hundred Fold Origami Meteor is that it’s an obvious home job; professional production would work absolute magic in making the album more sonically appealing. But leaving that by the wayside, there’s some fantastic musicianship underneath. Vocalist Nic Heidt’s clean, young sound is a great contrast to the grit beneath, while the grit itself isn’t overdone to the point of throwing itself into a true industrial niche. It’s very busy — a bit too much at times — but it’s never bland.
As for the songs themselves: opening track “Going Nowhere” has a magically catchy chorus and is a great choice to lead the album. Beyond that, it’s spotty: “Awake” is ambitious but incoherent; “Conditional Love” nails exactly what the band is going for with style; “Condescending To An Idiot” sounds like two songs smashed and woven together; “In The Dark” has some great driving rhythm lines; “Sick Of…” is just plain rad. All in all, it would benefit the band to write about 40 songs and narrow it down from there rather than creating an album that feels like some things were pulled together merely to fill out a track list.
It’s a great start with great promise. Even if you take a pass on this one, keep an eye on them for the future.
