Four years after their superb Walk The Psycho[Path] release, Run Level Zero returns with Arctic Noise, their first release for Artoffact Records, and the release guaranteed to cement their status as one of Europe’s best industrial artists. This CD features hit after hit, introspective and angst-filled industrial influenced by some of the genre’s pioneers and swirled into a gyre that is new and exciting, fun and essential. The album opens with the raging and Frontline Assembly-esque “Black Cinder,” a track sure to convince those who think industrial is dead. Other notables include “Hitting Ground,” “Incision,” and “Hey Mister,” all of which encapsulate the essence of classics like Numb or Skinny Puppy, but surely what we have here goes further and stands on its own.
Since their debut Run Level Zero has been an active band on the electronic music scene, appearing on a number of compilations and remixing artists such as Pzychobitch, Punto Omega, Clan of Xymox, and Psyche. The band has toured Europe twice (supporting VNV Nation in 2001 and Assemblage 23 in 2005) and recently toured the United States in 2006.
This is one of the best industrial releases to come out in years. It took Run Level Zero as long to write and record Arctic Noise as it took them to release their first four CDs–and the result is clearly worth the wait. And, with comparisons to Canada’s own trio of industrial pioneers, it’s kinda cool to find them on a Canadian label! Arctic Noise is released on Artoffact Records.
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