ALBUM
REVIEWS
E-lux
Spinal
Column
By: Andrew Rachkauskas
LABEL : Hollywood Records
PLAYERS: Aimee Echo: vocals/ Jeff Schartoff: bass/ Mike Tempesta: guitar/
Scott Ellis: Drums/ Chuck Johnson: percussion
PRODUCER: Ross Robinson
Throw in some super-charged super-heavy
music, some seductively powerful female vocals, some superb production, and
some big time angst and you get Human Waste Project. Human Waste Project’s
debut album on Hollywood Records, e-lux, is one hell of a rockin’ album.
The real charm of HWP’s sound is their ability to roll out some pimpin’
grooves with some soothing vocals, and then shake it all down with some intensely
heavy and frenzied moments ("Exit Wound" is a perfect example).
Mike Tempesta’s (brother of White Zombie drummer, John Tempesta) searing
guitar work is completely heavy and really sets the aggressive tone for HWP’s
sound beautifully. When he goes off on "Drugstore", the chaotic
sounds are incredibly infectious. Aimee Echo’s powerfully sultry vocals
are a solid addition to HWP’s overall sound. She has the knack of sounding
very inviting and unimposing and then she erupts into furious screams. It
truly work wells and is most apparent on "Shine". To round it off,
e-lux is produced by Ross Robinson (Korn, Sepultura, Limp Bizkit) and sounds
fully thick. Robinson always manages to capture musical intensity like no
other producer. Some of the stronger tracks on e-lux include the instrumental
"Graverobbers from Mars", "Disease", "Dog",
and "Powerstrip". e-lux is certainly a pleasant surprise.