Industrial music has always been, and probably always will be a loose term often misused by people who hear something dissonant and clangy. Equally, it tends to be an umbrella keeping all the gothy electronic kids dry from the rain they love so much (but not as much as their makeup). People! Please remember that industrial rock lived before Nine Inch Nails and existed and developed after their peak. I won’t repeat that.
So, here’s a brief lesson starting sometime in the early-mid 90’s as Trent Reznor is on the up. Taking his influence from both the likes of Bauhaus and Throbbing Gristle simultaneously with David Bowie and Gary Numan etc etc etc, during his rush-rise he meets a chap by the name of Brian Warner. They proceed to produce some very cool records for both their bands, they part ways and Brian continues to attract the hearts of teenagers across the globe and pioneers his own industrial-esque goth-pop-rock-electronic-shock-disco. Now you know the context you’re ready for EVESTUS.
Hailing from Estonia, Evestus is a one-man production machine, fuelled by a fluctuating live band drawing influences from a vast array of mediums. This most recent EP, No God, has been put forward as a window of what is to come as the dedicated producer works away at his next full-length.
Kicking straight to the point with a dirty, noise-addled synth and driving bass-line, Evestus kicks it off straight into a head-nodding momentum piece. Introducing his heavily distorted vocals (a signature sound) early, it’s clear what to expect within the first minute: rhythm, pulse, drive and action. Voices, the EP’s lead track/single kicks immediately with a synth line prominently reminiscent of Marilyn Manson’s This is The New Shit and features a drum’n’bass influenced drum-line not too far from the The Prodigy or latter-day sound of Meat Beat Manifesto (who also once featured on Nothing Records).
The Fall displays a similar spooky synth/drumbeat style as previous and includes more Manson-esque vocal delivery and lyrics “I wake up in yesterday’s makeup”. The song occasionally strays into a more dubsteppy vibe and pretty much supplies more of the same. Following this is the EP’s title piece, No God, which is admittedly a musically very catchy track. However, the scabs of industrial music begin to show at this point: It is not uncommon for a band of this movement to have some sociological disdain, self-loathing, anxiety, etc; it just works as inspiration for a large portion of people. The question is: Is writing a militant-atheist anthem still relevant?
What is the necessity or impact of such a strong view in a world where it’s the very question is asked daily by millions, if not billions? Nine Inch Nails did it with Heresy (amongst other tracks), Marilyn Manson did it with too many tracks to mention, Rob Zombie, Throbbing Gristle, Mortiis, Fear Factory: it’s been done. This isn’t a question as to Evestus‘ sincerity/authenticity but does raise the point of certain similarities/originality and how much is present in a song that essentially repeats regularly that there isn’t a god and, well, nothing else. The closing song on the record is a NIN-heavy, piano based piece with a heavily programmed, clunky beat and smothered, radio-interference vocals that add a curious texture.
No God is an interesting record. It’s a good collection of easy, driving songs. There’s a certain late-90’s/early 2000’s feeling reminiscent of Manson, The Matrix and Fallout (which is cited as a reference, gladly); post-apocalyptic, torn and furious. It’s as if Evestus‘ music is not set now, in the present day, but rather in the future when the title could be more relevant after a hard turn of events for humanity. It speaks of turmoil and aggression, without ever being too heavy or overburdening.
The EP is a window, as mentioned earlier, and it would be excellent to see what variation comes with the next LP,.. perhaps experimentation in varying vocal style and performance and maybe a step sideways into the doom-gloom of downtempo pieces. Evestus would certainly see benefit in wallowing in a deep cavern of sound and it could, perhaps, turn into the next step toward something truly original that the artist is clearly aiming for… if nothing else, Evestus is dedicated, passionate and strong-willed. With that, there can only be purification.
Available now from their Bandcamp page.
Words by Jake Murray.
