Music worth listening to

California-based metal band Static-X are back in the music scene with their album Project Regeneration Vol. 1. This record has a mixture of different musical tastes because some of the songs are sung by the band’s new lead singer Xer0 and others by the late Wayne Static. Bass guitarist Tony Campos, keyboardist Koichi Fukuda, drummer Ken Jay and Xer0 crafted an album that not only displays the current and early stages of Static-X’s career, but also shows how powerful Static’s vocals were during the recordings. All the tracks on this album are performed beautifully because the instrumentation and vocals fill the background with deep and bold musical sounds. Project Regeneration Vol. 1 is a great piece of work.

Staggering “Dead Souls” is amazing because it shows listeners how well Static and Ministry vocalist Al Jourgensen perform together. While listening, the shrieks from Static and Jourgensen create a raw emotion of despair and hopelessness. Throughout the song, both vocalists constantly change their pitches from high to low and when Static and Jourgensen switch their vocals to a lower range, their voices sound stronger with authority while the rest of the band is performing. Also, the instrumentation compliments Static’s and Jourgensen’s vocals by how the music is being played on a steady and harmonic flow. “Dead Souls” bleeds the talent Static left behind and shows how gifted Jourgensen is as a vocalist.

Mystical “All These Years” is a composition that has terrific keyboard playing by Fukunda. At the beginning of the song, Fukuda plays a mysterious electronic noise that welcomes listeners to the dark side on this piece. What helps make this composition better is how there is an eerie, high-pitched sound emerging from the background which contributes to the shadowy theme on this tune. Also, Fukuda plays on a slower tempo but he does a good job staying attuned with the rest of the band. “All These Years” is a gloomy song but the keyboard playing does provide a touch of excitement on this track.

Hardcore “Terminator Oscillator” steals the show on Project Regeneration Vol. 1 because the instrumentation shines on this track. The guitar playing by Xer0 is solid by how his riffs create surging notes. Campos’s bass guitar is being played on a fast-paced musical flow with deep rumbles, Jay’s drum playing is erratic by how each rhythmic beat is being played on a faster tempo and the keyboard playing by Fukuda blazes this tune with neat sounds. What is noticeably amusing is how each different musical style from all four band members collide into each other to create a metal sound people want to hear. The instrumentation on this composition is rich and Static-X have done a wonderful job.

Heart stopper “Hollow (Project Regeneration)” can cause listeners to head band like crazy because Static’s vocals carry the whole song with great authority. His vocals are raging by how he shouts and shrieks out the lyrics in grungy form. The grunginess of the vocals empowers the tune with high-strung emotions that provide a sense of enjoyment on this composition. Also, when Static chants the lyrics “yeah, yeah, yeah,” it contributes to the wildness the rest of the band is playing. Static put his foot on the gas pedal because his vocals are the highlight on this track.

Meaningful “Worth Dyin For” is a piece with well-written lyrics. Throughout the tune, the chorus, “Tried so hard/ gonna start living my life/ maybe we’ve grown apart/ to forgive to forgotten you ever / I’m trying to do the right thing,” insists that a person is trying to move on with his or her life despite knowing their friend or partner cannot forgive and forget what has happened within the friendship or relationship. The profound words impact the tune by how well the instrumentation is able to create a connection with those who are willing to listen. “Worth Dyin For” is filled with wonderful lyrics and Static-X have done a nice job with creating this tune.

Project Regeneration Vol. 1 is great piece of work that honors Static’s talent and with Xer0 onboard, Static-X will continue to make creative music.