Search - Beyond :: Reassemble

Beyond's Reassemble--shows promise but uncreative

06/15/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another band has jumped on the well-proven, neo-industrial/metal bandwagon, the British-oriented Beyond. Its debut album, Reassemble, shows potential but still fails to produce anything really spin-worthy. Most withholding of its success is an utter lack of creativity; Beyond incorporates machine-gun drumbeats that are indistinguishable from those of Fear Factory, and it carbon-copies the patented electronica of Rammstein. However, despite that, the band still is able to produce a well-arranged, layered sound, much due to the assistance of expert-producer Mike Tholen, who has worked with the likes of industrial super-giants Ministry. With his help, Beyond creates pulsing, hooking guitar and keyboard riffs that would attract almost the attention of almost anyone. Think of them as a more universally-sounding Fear Factory. However, alas, the band still has a very premature sound, again due to its immense lack of creativity, so only the brave should buy this promising work. Look upon "Pure," "Machined," "Reassemble," and "Nailed" as the catchiest tracks in this album."