Customer Reviews

Alpha Omega

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

... Pitchfork is more into composing songs that make a direct statement compared to Skinny Puppy, who are far more interested in musical experimentation.

Honestly, this is one of my favorite Project Pitchfork CDs. It isn't as heavy as some of their earlier stuff, and not as light as the newer material they've put out recently. I think that is what makes this CD so great. I can put on Alpha Omega no matter what mood I'm in, and I'll enjoy listening to it. The closest comparison I would make is to "IO" or "Entities".

This is a slower album, but not weak. The songs are airy and dreamy. The lyrics are not as fantastic as on Pitchfork's later works, but are still very expressive of the frustration and exasperation that the songs wish to relate. This is not the Ministry/:Wumpscut: type of industrial. It's not dance-y like V.A.C., and it's not as (sorry) wussie as VNV Nation. That's why I like "Alph Omega", and why I like Project Pitchfork. They really do have their own distinct sound.

Project Pitchfork's music is the harshest I go in terms of ENJOYING industrial music. Mid-tempo industrial would best describe their sound. Harsh, abrasive, loud, but very catchy, dancable and not too fast and frenzied. This cd is pretty much the middle ground in terms of Project Pitchfork's musical collection as well, although both extremes are covered. The organic and divinely dreamy "Green World" is practically a lullaby as far as PP's music goes while "The Animal" is easily one of the harshest PP songs I have heard. That's why I would recommend this cd as the best starting point for someone unfamiliar with their sound.

The best songs are the mid-tempo industrial dance songs, which are "Silent Scream", "Requiem", and "Endzeit". "Alpha Omega" is also a good song and if you like it then you will absolutely love the (Over 10 minute!) reprise "Omega Alpha" which blows "Alpha Omega" away. As stated by another reviewer here, songs from the EP "Corps D'amour" should have been included here. It would have made this album a lot better. Amazon.com currently doesn't have "Corps D'amour" available but it would definitely be worth the effort to find it, especially if you enjoyed this album. "Corps D'amour" is a six track EP that is similar to "Alpha Omega" only better.

Another note worth mentioning is the nifty Tin box( as opposed to a normal plastic jewel case ), which is really unique and cool, as long as you have the patience to snap it apart and closed.

If you're not too partial to industrial but still like your synth aggressive then get "IO" instead, which is their best. Then check out "Chakra:Red!"( 2nd best ) for an even more dance orientated cd with the classic Project Pitchfork flair.

It seems the main point here is the comparison between Skinny Puppy and Project Pitchfork; I'm not a SP fan, that's true, they are more importans because of their influence upon other bands than because of their music itself, which souns much too raw and lacks melody; but apart from my taste, I think Project Pichfor has nothing to do with Skinny Puppy. But let's talk about Alpha-Omega: Many people is a bit too severe with this album, which is not that bad, in fact it's quite ok. But the main problem this cd had is that it followed Pitchfork's master album 'IO' which is actually better than Alpha-Omega; but the latter does contain very good songs, such as the moody and sweet 'Green World', 'Requiem', the militar-oriented rhythm of 'Cold Heart', or my favourite two, 'Silent Scream' and 'Revolution Now'. Also 'Alpha-Omega' is a very good song; but it's true that there are some songs (The animal, Endzeit') which are not as good as it should. However, this album is better for example than 'Lam-Bras', which does contain some bad songs; If Project Pitchfork had chosen the best 6 or 7 songs of this album and 3 or 4 from 'Corps d'amour' (an EP from the same year 1995), they would have definetely accomplished their best effort ever, a real masterpiece. But despite this, Alpha-Omega is a good cd, and the last of their typical style which would be temporally broken with 'Chakra:Red'.

I've heard (and read) a lot of reviews about this album and project pitchfork in general and a lot of them say they sound like Skinny Puppy. Do you people even LISTEN to music? This band does NOT sound like skinny puppy. Skinny Puppy could take lessons from the musicians in this band. Alpha Omega is one of Project Pitchforks best albums. (Entities being the best). Project Pitchfork has awesome melodies and soothing sounds with and edge and words that acually MEAN something. Buy this album and LISTEN.

Many Project Pitchfork songs have a strange subversive quality about them. Perhaps it is the repeated chorus verses and German accents. AO is a pretty good disc; the title track is quite excellent and the reason I picked this up. There are some other good tracks on this album, but most of the songs are pretty simplistic. I would not call them a Skinny Puppy wannabe band at all. They are much more dance oriented and don't use many movie samples or anything like that. This is good club music... and it grows on you a lot! (Well, it grew on me! ;-)

If you love industrial music with good rythms, lyrics and arrangements... along with the need to dance your rear off this is a must have. They are a band that is on their way to taking control of the industrial scene here in America. If you can get to see them live, do it. This album is the proof. You probably have heard their songs in clubs and didn't even know it.

This CD comes in a metal box that is way cool but not very practical... The music, however is nothing short of marvellous. Melodic with unrelenting artificial drumbeats, this might very well be the best PP album out there! If you liked Chakra:Red! and Corps'd'Amour, this is a must-have!

If you like Skinny Puppy, why not just listen to them? This is a poor imitation from a band who make music that sounds like a video game. If you like good German Industrial/Goth, go Das Ich or Wolfsheim.

There are about 1000 bands ou there that think they can make a living by sounding exactly like Skinny Puppy. It's a real shame that instead of being inspired by that great band, and going forward and creating new, fresh music, this band just keeps going in circles over other peoples old footsteps.