Orgy -- Punk Statik ParanoiaD1 RecordsFeb. 24, 2004
While most bands use each new album to delve further into a sound that they can claim as their own, Orgy has taken the exact opposite route.
Several years ago they were rising stars of metal, creating an aggressive and distinctive blend of synthesizers, overdriven guitar, and monotone vocals courtesy of vocalist Jay Gordon. At one point, they stood strong in the hotly contested world of rap-metal, and listeners who expect that sort of sound--that of the old Orgy--probably should not pick up this album.
Rather than a determination to continue standing out, they have become determined to parallel as many of their peer bands as possible. The opening track, "Beautiful Disgrace," begins with Gordon doing his best Fred Durst impression while still singing his trademark monotone. "Vague" displays the band's attempt at Deftones-pitched screams, yet once again it is all too obvious that they are borrowing ideas.
The songs all seem to be backed up by a standard "wall-of-noise," leaving little room for any memorabe guitar or drum work. Too many of the effects seem like they were stolen from out of Korn's toolbox, or were sampled from Dope's pedals.
Most college fans were still in high school or middle school when Orgy first made the scene with their novel cover of New Order's "Blue Monday," Their formula worked then, probably because their music correlated with the feelings of disappointment and frustration that came with being a teenager. Now most of what was the bulk of their fan base has grown up, found their own identity, and moved on past a good portion of the angst. Unfrotunately, Orgy has not. Still brooding over concepts of being "different" that most people let go of years ago, the only direction Orgy is going is backwards. Not to say that this is the worst album out there, but it definitely does not brandish any tricks that particularly stick.
