601
We Are Not The Same
SeeHear Recordings
When Killing Joke broke the mould with their eponymous debut album, we learned that heaviness comes in many forms; the textures of electronica can be just as potent as anything unleashed by a metal or punk band. It’s something 601 understand very well and since 1993 they’ve been pushing at sonic boundaries with a sound that exists somewhere between Godflesh and Swans. With the same kind of pioneering spirit, no genre is safe from 601’s alchemy, and their latest album, We Are Not The Same, finds them appropriating everything from dubstep to Soca via hip hop beats and fusing them into an original sound. While it’s true you can’t judge an album by its sleeve, the Francis Bacon-esque cover that houses 601’s latest is pretty indicative of the music contained within; it’s dark and discombobulating and takes the listener on a journey to the inky black recesses of the human psyche. With a host of guest appearances (that are as diverse as the music), there’s a danger this album could have an uneven camber. Yet, it’s the sooty aesthetic that stitches songs such as ‘Killer’ and ‘Cross’ together, creating a cohesive experience. Embrace the darkness.
https://www.facebook.com/601official
Review By Peter Dennis
Album Cover Art by Amy Walpole (Witchfever)