6 Point Syntax- 6 Point Syntax

ARTIST: 6 Point Syntax
ALBUM: 6 Point Syntax
LABEL: Royal Recording
REVIEWER: Matthew J.
DATE: 10-24-07

Taking a broader view of industrial rock than most, Colorado's 6 Point Syntax fill their debut with elements of everything from goth to EBM to metal. The unifying element, though, is a gloomy funereal aesthetic that owes more to the vampire fashion of goth and the horror influences of terror EBM than the political and personal outrage that fuels most industrial. At times, this almost gets out of hand; the title alone of "Glass of Tears" is so rife with sad-eyed imagery that it calls into question how serious it's meant to be taken, though it's tough to find fault with the song itself. "Fear Today, Gone Tomorrow" is more intense than you might expect from a punned title, with funeral choir synths and church bells lending ominous grandiosity to crunching electronic beats and guttural vocals, while "Thy Wicked" brings the metal elements to the forefront with thrash-inspired power chords. It's the slower, moodier pieces that make 6 Point Syntax unique, though; instrumental interlude "Lycan," in particular, makes good use of choir pads and pianos for a Wagnerian atmosphere that recalls Glenn Danzig's instrumental works as well as Burzum's purely electronic compositions. Industrial rock purists might find this all too gloomy and theatrical for their taste, so if you're looking for Ministry or KMFDM clones, you'd best look elsewhere. If you dig on the dark cathedral mystique of European crossover acts like Gothminister or Jesus and The Gurus, however, you might be surprised to find that your new favorite band comes out of the unlikely location of Colorado Springs.

Visit 6 Point Syntax on MySpace at www.myspace.com/6pointsyntax.