The Way Sect Bloom is a techno-industrial band from Long Island, New York. They name the following as influences; Mortal, Circle of Dust, Front Line Assembly, and Skinny Puppy. Around since 1993, they've previously appeared on several compilation CDs, including Artcore Volume One and Volume Two, Electro-Shock Therapy, Escape the Furnace, and Full-Frontal Lobotomy. This is their first full-length release. Effloresce combines most of the songs that have appeared on these various compilations plus a few new ones.
Effloresce means to blossom, flower, or bloom. The Way Sect Bloom has certainly done that with EfFLoReScE. The album itself is a real mixture, but the music itself continually blooms forth. Some songs are loud, some soft. Some have mostly loud guitars, and some have no guitars. Some are a cross between industrial and harder-edged rock with an almost metal feel to it, and then some are purely industrial with distorted voices and lots of sampling. Whatever direction they take, though, a techno-industrial sound can be heard throughout the album. For example, "Dive" starts with atmospheric synths, then is followed by guitars aggressively and loudly entering the piece, only to have it end with a long sample. "Subsidize" has a more straightforward techno feel. The guitars start much further back in the mix, with lots of sampling. They gradually work their way forward in the mix, only to fade at the end. The lyrics are intelligent and thoughtful. They are Christ-centered but unlike many Christian lyrics aren't trite or formulaic.
Inside your word I find my rest
And by your grace I effloresce...effloresce.
(from "Effloresce")
and
Shining His light into my darkness
He is beginning the work
The everlasting life
Shining his light into my darkness
The light piercing the dark from deep down inside.
Defenses were put up
And now torn down....
I believe...in You!
(from "Illumina (Defenseless)")
This unquestionably well-done album is a must for the library of any industrial fan.
4.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #74Reviewed by Brian Vincent McGovernBloom where you're planted. That's sort of a theme that's presented here, in the Way Sect Bloom's latest release. With better production than I've heard in a while from Flaming Fish, this project takes thumping electronic bass, drums, guitars, and distorted vocals, and systematically produces some good songs. Eerieness surrounds the CD, but, I surmise, that's merely a stylistic thing. Fans of…The Phantom Tollbooth 1998Reviewed by Joe RockstrohThe Way Sect Bloom, one of the most highly touted offerings off the Flaming Fish roster, does not disappoint if you know what to expect from it. Almost all the reviews and articles I've read about TWSB have them billed as an industrial band, but I really don't think they should be described that way. I would be hard pressed to describe the band as industrial; I think a label of aggressive techno…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by LarvaeEffloresce - to flower, become full, bloom. The message is clear. This project was to help us in the path of our walk. We as Christians should be blooming everyday! For such a bright subject as the title and band name, you might expect some music for the wimp. Think again. It's very driving, hard, and dark music, well laced with perfectly timed samples to get the point across. As for the guitar…Dead Zine 1997Reviewed by GrindboyAlthough I was initially disappointed with this cd, it's really a pretty solid project worth checking out for anyone who digs Circle of Dust or X-Propagation. "Live" starts us out on the right foot with a cool instrumental piece that reminds me of "Exploration" from Circle of Dust '92, only with less of a techno bent to it. "Subside" follows that up with a similarly guitar-driven, up tempo crowd…Similar sounding releases
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