Published by Davide Pappalardo on October 13, 2018
Australian artist Scud Viney (already one half of Deader) is the main actor behind the old-school EBM/electro industrial project called Caustic Grip, dedicated to music inspired by a retro sound. He keeps publishing tracks on his Bandcamp profile, showing a gradual growth with each new output; four of these tracks have been already collected in a strictly limited cassette, simply called Volume I, where groovy bass-lines, robust drum machines and a DIY production were the focus of an enthralling recipe looking to the past. Names like Front Line Assembly, Front 242, Cabaret Voltaire, Nitzer Ebb, and even the first period of Covenant (homaged by a cover of Replicant used as a bonus on the cassette version of the aforementioned compilation) are the main influences of the project, but we should not think about an upstart cloning his idols: Caustic Grips music has its own merits, and a certain element of “funk” is always present in his production, together with captivating melodies and cold atmospheres.
Now he returns with a new compilation of tracks, called Volume II, in which he further develops his style thanks to an even clearer production and a stronger sense of songwriting. Pulsating bass-lines and captivating drum-kicks guide us among old-school vibes and chanting vocals, underlining a sci-fi atmosphere in which electro rides and robust EBM moments are entwined. Actually, we find different takes on the main theme, showing different facets of a time between late 80’s and early 90’s, characterized by engaging projects and music. A DIY vibe is the leitmotif of the cassette, and you can recognize the use of synths like Microbrute and Micron; Veronica Sawyer returns in the track Breaking with her sharp vocals, and a fifth bonus track called Unending graces the cassette version of this release.
Left welcomes us with it’s throbbing lines underlined by snare-drums and stomping bass sounds, soon delivering an EBM march, characterized by strong rhythms and shouted vocals with a punk edge. Riffing moments and aggressive sessions ala Velvet Acid Christ complete the almost psychedelic mantra, together with ominous atmospheres. A revocation of old-school elements and eerie dark vibes, working perfectly. Breaking sees the help of the aforementioned singer Veronica Sawyer – another old-school minded piece with enriching synth patterns and filtered female vocals. It starts quietly with a serpentine rhythm and a growing arpeggiator, then adding engaging grooves and distant vocals, An acid soundscape with hypnotizing structures and well placed loops, with some nods to sci-fi minded electronic music.
Feel employs even darker sounds, showing stark rhythmic loops with militant movements and pounding bass-lines. Eerie vocals roar amidst the captivating electro-mantra, sustained by grooving synth sounds. We can recognize the influence of early Covenant, and their cold but captivating world, but there is more to the track, with hints of first-period Apoptygma Berzerk and early 90’s EBM. Ripple presents hard drums and dance-driven electronics, then it layers a Gothic motif with engaging movements and deep vocals. Sudden key melodies and slower paths with sampled vocals craft trance-like pauses and bridges. The bonus track Unending gives us a robust drum machine moving among minimal sounds, enriched by shouted vocals and distant loops, an acid number recalling new beat and the Belgian school. A plethora of obsessive beats and sudden explosions take us by the hand, until the end.
Another release with a collection of great tracks showcasing a love for old-school electro-industrial and EBM, with a penchant for early 90’s atmospheres and songwriting. Grooving electronics, stern rhythms and evocative soundscapes are the foundation of a nostalgic sound linked to the roots of the genre. European and American influences find their home in a sound looking both to the more aggressive side of this music, both to energetic club moments and fascinating synth mantras. Caustic Grip has his place in the recent neo-old-school movement, and he is coming into his own with every new piece of music. Let’s see where it will lead us.
Label: self-released
Rating: 7,5