Static-X - Start A War

Tue 2nd Aug, 2005 in Music Reviews

After wiping away tears of laughter at the sight of this album cover (honestly, check out the scary man faces), I inserted Static-X’s album number four, Start A War, into my player and was prepared to be bombarded by the usual industrial-nu-metal-with-lashings-of-electronica sound that this band is known for. I wasn’t terribly surprised (nor taken) by the offerings here, but one thing it attempts to do is hearken to the earlier, more aggressive sounds of debut Wisconsin Death Trip – elements that kinda got lost with subsequent albums like Shadow Zone (2003) and Machine (2001).

Sure, lyrics such as “you make me hate, you make me hate you” are a laugh-a-minute, but (and I am as equally surprised by writing this), this album does have its moments, albeit not terribly many of them. And if you want to, like, throw shit and get really, really angry at the fucking world and flip everyone the bird, Start a War could be your album.

Original guitarist Koichi Fukuda re-joins Static-X for this album (following the dismissal of Tripp Rex Eisen earlier this year), but many would argue that Kermit the Frog could do backing vocals on this album and it wouldn’t stop front man, Wayne Static from stealing the limelight with his soaring hairdo and erm, interesting, singing style.

Of Wayne Static’s miasma of singing styles, I much prefer the straight-forward, neither-here-nor-there stuff. The higher notes tent to grate a bit, and he doesn’t have the power to do the growl nearly as well as other singers of similar ilk.

The melodic leanings haven’t totally been erased in this album, and in fact one of the best parts of opening track The Enemy is the decipherable, almost sing-a-long chorus. 

The title track appears at third place on this album. Rapid guitars and drums are led in by an electronic intro and the suppressed vocals in the verses contrast nicely with almost indecipherable screams in the choruses, resulting in a song that is more impacting and believable than any thus far on the album.

And then, my friends, it is somewhat of a downward tumble. Pieces is generic and uninspiring, its grinding, distorted intro being the best feature, while Dirthouse is too tampered with programming to have any lasting impact.

Skinnyman is almost laughable, its euphorically sung namesake doing the song no favours whatsoever. Set It Off wins the award for most irrevocably nu-metal song on the album.

Despite its title, penultimate song I Want To Fucking Break It is actually quite good. Some innovation is evident here, with a powerful intro that includes some brass. This track bursts out of the stereo with an enthusiasm that has been absent since the first few songs of the album. It also contains darker riffs, and is the heaviest song thus far.  

If you are a fan of Static-X, I honestly think you will be more taken with this album than the last two, but Wisconsin Death Trip it ain’t, and there is no denying the cringe-inspiring element of some of the songs.