Customer Reviews

Beneath Between Beyond

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is for the fans of Static-X, plain and simple. If you haven't liked Static-X before, this isn't going to win you over. However, if you just have a passing fancy in the things of Static, then this album warrents a purchase. It's an album that features songs from all over the career of Static-X, songs that have appeared on movie soundtracks and whatever. Plus, it features songs from all three eras (WDT, Machine, SZ), so all fans are bound to find something they like on this cd. Plus, it's nice to see taht "Down" and "Head" are finally seeing a wide release, being that they are two of my favorite Static-X songs. The only songs missing from this collection is "Hip Hop" w/ Dead Prez and a remix of Love Dump. Anyway, all fans may pick up this cd now...

Generally, when a band releases an album of re-mixes, unreleased songs, demos and so forth, I end up somewhat letdown. When you get enough of them, you begin to know what to expect of them. The overall quality of this CD was a pleasant surprise though and I have already played it back to front to back numerous times without feeling the need to skip a track.
A reasonable amount of the CD is similar to the style of "Wisconsin Death Trip". "Beneath Between Beyond" is the perfect addition to any Static-X fan's collection and is solid enough to serve as an introductory album to those unfamiliar with this powerful force of trance-metal.

Some may call this a greatest hits CD, but it is actually a collection of rarities, remixes, and unreleased song. However, a casual fan would most likely not find this to be an enjoyable CD. It is the hardcore fans of Static-X and Wayne's giant hair that will find it to be well worth the money. I will now review each song individually.

1. Breathe 4/5
It sounds like a mix of Shadow Zone and WDT songs.
2. Deliver Me 5/5
With addictive lyrics and awesome music, this proves to be one
of the better songs on the CD.
3. Anything But This 4/5
Double bass drums and pulse-pounding singing create a rather
unique sound.
4. S.O.M 2/5
One of my least favorite song on the CD, mostly because
Wayne's voice overpowers all the music.
5. Down 5/5
Definetly from the age of WDT, this is a great song.
6. Head 4/5
It kind of reminds of newer Slipknot music. That's about all
to say for Head.
7. So Real 3/5
It is one of Static-X's more techno-sounding songs.
8. Crash 3/5
Not one of the greater songs, partly because Tony, Tripp,
and Nick aren't in it.
9. Push It (JB's Death Trance Remix) 4/5
Major techno stuff here. Overall, it's just...different.
10. I'm With Stupid (Paul Barker Remix) 5/5
Truly an addictive and awesome song, it's even heavier than
before.
11. Burning Inside 4/5
Fast-paced and really cool, Burton Bell (Fear Factory) does
a really great job.
12. Behind the Wall of Sleep 5/5
While I'm not a fan of Black Sabbath, I'm when they did this,
it sounded nowhere near as good.
13. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment 5/5
It's kind of funny to hear Static-X do a Ramones cover, but
this is a really great song, and also the fastest song on the
CD.
14. I Am (Demo) 4/5
It's great to hear Static-X in the studio, and that's what
this (and the other demos) deliver.
15. Love Dump (Demo) 5/5
This is probably the best-sounding demo on the CD, and one of
the best songs from WDT.
16. Get to the Gone (Demo) 3/5
A good song, but it is also a little dissapointing. But, it's
live.
17. New Pain (Demo) 4/5
In my opinion, it sounds alot better than the actual song.
18. Otsegolectric (Demo) 4/5
Once again, better than the original. It also includes an
appearance by the guy from Monster.

Overall, next to Wisconsin Death Trip, this is their best CD, truly for the hardcore X fan.

Overall Rating=5/5

I have always had, and always will have, a soft spot for Static-X's music. Their debut album, "Wisconsin Death Trip," came out during my freshman year of high school, around the time that I was still trying to find my musical identity. I have loyally followed them, even as trends came and went, and as my own personal tastes evolved. But Static-X have so many elements to their music that it's impossible to get bored. Each one of their three albums has a distinct sound, and "Beneath, Between & Beyond" celebrates a wealth of superb material that, unfortunately didn't make the cut. If you were a fan of the debut, then this compilation should be right at home; About half of the songs here are pulled from the "Wisconsin Death Trip" sessions, or around that time period. The two b-sides to their latest release ("Shadow Zone"), "Deliver Me" (from the soundtrack to 2003's "Texas Chainsaw Massacre") and the previously unreleased "Breathe" jumpstart the album, as it moves along into more familiar b-sides, such as "Down" and "So Real" (from "Scream 3"). The Mephisto Odyssey collaboration, "Crash" was a nice touch, as I had almost forgotten about this song (remember the video, where Wayne had horns like Batman?). The Paul Barker remix of "I'm With Stupid" is absolutely stunning, and breathes life into the familiar song (I almost prefer this to the original). Some choice covers of Black Sabbath ("Behind The Wall Of Sleep"), The Ramones ("Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment") and Ministry ("Burning Inside") are all excellent choices, with "Burning Inside" sporting guest vocals by Fear Factory frontman Burton C. Bell. There are also five demos at the end of the eighteen song collection, all varying in quality, but interesting nevertheless. Overall, it's a great collection for the Static-X faithful. I'd like to think of it as an unorthodox "Greatest Hits" for them. Bottom line is, if you're a fan, this is worth getting.

It's pretty good if you like their other albums. Better than Shadow Zone, but still doesn't compare to WDT. Those of you "nu-metal" haters and music-elitists will find it good flaming material. Thus, it works out well for everybody in the end.

I am a fan of B-side collections. They neatly arrange all the B-sides into an easy to find and relatively inexpensive album, as opposed to hunting down all the singles and soundtracks (which is not only a pain in the rear, but costs a lot more more money.)

However, it still only gets 3 stars. Why? Because it's not really anything amazing. The B-sides are good for B-sides, but they're obviously B-sides for a reason. The completely original songs, eight total, are a bit varied, and sort of fit into four two-song sections. The first two tracks, "Breathe" and "Deliver Me" are mediocre suncooked metal tracks that remind me a bit of the Pantera side-project Down. "Anything But This" and "S.O.M." are two of Static-X's heaviest songs and are actually probably my favorites on this album. "Head" and "Down" most resemble Static-X's album tracks and could have fit on Wisconsin Death Trip or Machine, although I'm kind of glad they didn't. Last, "So Real" and "Crash" are largely electronic, harking back to the band's days as an unsigned band when they were more techno than metal.

This part could have made a good little EP by itself, but to satisfy the completionists, they included cover songs, remixes, and a few demos as well. The covers are decent, except the Ramones cover which I don't like because I don't like the Ramones at all.

The remixes aren't very good... all they do is bury the songs under a load of extra electronic noise. I like remixes that completey warp the song and make into an almost entirely new song. These remixes don't accomplish that exactly, and could have been left off without any complaint from me.

The demos are also pretty much worthless. They're just low budget recordings of basically the same songs you hear on the albums. This would have interested me more if it was recordings of their old songs from their formative techno days, but the songs are 100% recognizable. The biggest change is the feel of the drums in "No Pain" (a bit slower) and some parts that are missing (including the death metal intro) in "Get to the Gone."

I would be just as happy with this album if they had dropped the demos and remixes, and even the covers wouldn't be a big loss. If you're not already a fan of the band, this is probably not the place to start. However, I feel it is worth it for the 8 real B-sides in the first half of the CD. Just don't expect anything that compares to the albums.

Ignore the bad reviews...This CD is better than the last 2 releases...It's much like WDT.

This is the answer to the disipointing shaddow zone. the harcore fans from the WDT days will worship this album. First the new style of music on shaddow zone is to a minimum, but the demos are terrific. This Album is a must have for all Static-X fans, new and old. This Is Static-x at their best!

After releasing a surprisingly fresh debut album, followed by two mediocre releases, Static-X appears to be in a moment of reflection. "Beneath Between Beyond" features soundtrack cuts, rarities, remixes, and demo takes from post-industrial outfit, and needless to say, this disc is for hardcore Static-X fans only. Songs range from decent ("Anything but This") to repetitively annoying ("So Real" from the Scream 3 soundtrack), but the real standout is the cover of Ministry's "Burning Inside" (from the Crow: Salvation soundtrack) featuring Fear Factory's Burton C. Bell on vocals. Ministry vet Paul Barker also remixes "Wisconsin Death Trip"'s "I'm With Stupid", which is a solid mix. However, the demos of some of the songs, such as "New Pain" and "Ostegolectric" are nothing special at all. A cover of Black Sabbath's "Behind the Wall of Sleep" (from the Nativity in Black 2 tribute album) is halfway decent, but other than what has been mentioned is there really anything of interest here. Hardcore Static-X fans will want to pick this up, but for the rest of us we're better off sticking with "Wisconsin Death Trip".

First I would like to say that the people on here who are complaining about the Demo versions of certain songs on here need to chill out I think its nice to hear how songs evolve over time. I'm not going to do a song by song break down i'll just say this If you are a Static-X fan this collection is a must own and if you are just getting into the band go back and buy their first 3 cd's starting with Wisconsin Death Trip if you like that pick this up along with their other 2 releases Machine and Shadowzone.