ONE-WAY MIRROR
Formed only in 2006, French industrial rock-metallers One-Way Mirror are, according to the press sheet, "on the verge of triggering a revolution in the world of music." Quite a bold statement, but does their self-titled debut album live up to such a claim? My immediate reaction is to say absolutely not, as the phrase "triggering a revolution" implies the music would be not only mind-blowing in both its composition and execution, but also entirely original. The latter it most certainly is not, although with the eleven tracks on offer here, they go some way towards achieving the former. And while it is not entirely original, One-Way Mirror's songwriting does combine elements of various metal sub-genres to good effect. 'Danger Calling' is one such example as cacophonic bursts of hardcore are interposed with intense thrash riffing, with rock-metal vocal harmonies on the chorus and some expressive, accomplished solo work, before guitars feedback and segue into 'Empty Spaces', a heavy power ballad. The biggest, and perhaps most obvious, comparisons for a lot of the music are Ministry and Rammstein - 'Deprived Of Connection' even sounds suspiciously similar in parts to the latter's 'MeinTeil' - and there are also parallels with Danish band Raunchy. An industrial rock-metal cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 80s anthem 'Relax' sounds like a better idea on paper than in its execution, although strangely enjoyable as a slab of mindless fun. For a debut release, 'One-Way Mirror' is a very well produced, admirable effort that, given the right amount of exposure, is sure achieve a degree of success, although those in search of a CD that will prompt a musical revolution should look elsewhere. Far from brilliant (or original), although pretty damn good. Very nice cover artwork too (by Alain Trehard).
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Metal Blade Records
Album
ONE-WAY MIRROR
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
47:57
RELEASE DATE:
30th June 2008
TRACK LISTING
1) Destination Device
2) As You Are Now
3) ReDream
4) Danger Calling
5) Empty Spaces
6) Deprived Of Connection
7) Keeping Me Away
8) Sockracer
9) 21st Century
10) Relax
11) Liberation
2) As You Are Now
3) ReDream
4) Danger Calling
5) Empty Spaces
6) Deprived Of Connection
7) Keeping Me Away
8) Sockracer
9) 21st Century
10) Relax
11) Liberation
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
France
"...while it is not entirely original, One-Way Mirror's songwriting does combine elements of various metal sub-genres to good effect."