Cult of Static [Extra tracks, Limited Edition, Special Edition]

Static-X | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Limited Edition, Special Edition
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B001QWFUBU
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #271,555 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lunatic

2. Z28

3. Terminal

4. Hypure

5. Tera-Fied

6. Stingwray

7. You Am I

8. Isolaytore

9. Nocturnally

10. Skinned

11. Grind 2 Halt

12. W.F.O. [*]

13. Looks That Kill [*]

Editorial Reviews

Clean version. Ten years after the group's platinum debut, Wisconsin Death Trip, Static-X's sixth studio album pays tribute to its devoted cult of followers. Even darker than 2007's Cannibal, with longer songs and more loops and synths, Cult Of Static features the most crushing guitar ever heard on a Static-X disc plus Dave Mustaine of Megadeth ripping a guitar solo on 'Lunatic'. Bow down before the sound and the fury of Static-X! --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cult of Static remains to differ from anything they've done, March 17, 2009

By 

Seth R (MA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Cult of Static (Audio CD)

Cult of Static, Static-X's sixth studio release, marks a decade since the band released their debut, Wisconsin Death Trip. One thing is for sure of late, I don't have to wait long for releases - the band has released three albums in three years, the sandwiched album being Cannibal Killers Live, a box set featuring footage from the tour in support of 2007's Cannibal. So when Wayne Static, front man and founder, announced in 2008 that a new album was nearing completion and would be released soon, it came as a backhand to the face. I asked myself, do these guys ever stop to smell the roses?

Cult of Static is a reference of thanks to the devoted followers and fans that have supported the band's efforts to get them where they are today. The first track, "Lunatic," was released on the Punisher: War Zone soundtrack, and then re-recorded for this album to feature a guitar solo from Megadeth icon Dave Mustaine. The solo seems just slightly thrown in just because they had Mustaine's partnership (and it sort of was judging how Wayne Static described it in a Headbanger's Blog interview), but it's cool nonetheless.

Cult of Static is also somewhat of a symbolic pennant of Wayne Static's new flame, Tera Wray, former adult film star. Not only is her name in song titles, but she appears to be featured on the artwork front cover - both Wray and Static pose as a crowd of clones of themselves. The first single, "Stingwray," is really the only song that's classic Static-X, so it's no surprise this was the first choice.

That said, the rest of the album is where the direction changes. Not only are the songs darker than before (the band had their blinkers on in Cannibal, but just didn't make the turn), but they run longer with an epic atmosphere. "Tera-Fied" at over five minutes is the epitome of this including solemn, mysterious synthesizers. With mystifying loops and sounds, intense piston-pumping riffs, "meedley meedley" guitar solos, and powerful, gritty vocals, the "evil disco" sound we strive for is here but with a darker tinge. Static-X have certainly had different sounds over the course of a decade, and Cult of Static remains to differ from anything they've done, but it's all gravy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So exactly how many nu-metal bands are still signed to major labels?!, April 23, 2009

By 

Mike (Here and There) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cult of Static (Audio CD)

I might get bashed by the "tr00 to metal" community but you know what, I'm compelled to give this album a positive review.

Okay, so Static-X came out as the spikey-haired industrial-metal cousins of nu-metal's most active bands. But these guys were ahead of the pack, and that much was solidified when Wisconsin Death Trip received platinum status despite relatively little commercial support. Well, then their awesome guitarist, Koichi Fukuda, left to do other things and was replaced with a some guy who was kicked out when he was exposed for trying to be a kid toucher. Meanwhile, Ken Jay left the group and while Nick Oshiro handled some responsibilities since 2003, he didn't really commit full time to the band until about 2005. Afterward however, Oshiro committed to the group and Fukuda came back to the fold. Now, the band has released an industrial metal album that is very, VERY awesome and very complete for a metal album in general.

The album sounds great. The production is absolutely top notch. The group put out a dedicated effort and didn't spare a moment in making sure a good album got turned out. You're getting everything you've come to know about Static-X on this album (Wayne Static's growling, deep grooves on bass and guitar, rhythmic drumming with the occasional blasting, and the whole electronic-metal feel they like to have.) What you're also getting though are songs that have a strong attention to detail as well groovy interludes. Unlike most nu-metal bands though, this album makes sure to have guitar solos as well as the instrumental breakdowns that have become so familiar with the genre (not necessarily on every song, but when it can serve the song, they totally have it.)

If anyone were to ask my for my favorite songs on the album, I would tell you that "Lunatic" was my favorite, but that's a little unfair because Dave Mustaine (that's right, Dave Mustaine from Megadeth) has a solo on the song. Other tracks I dug were "Terminal", "Tera-Fied", "You and I", "Skinned", and "Grind 2 Halt" we're pretty rad. I would recommend the album to industrial metal fans, people who can be mature enough to admit they liked nu-metal when it was cool, and female metal fans. Conversely, for all you "tr00 metal" guys trying to pick up girls or show their prospective ladies something they like to listen to, this might be better then blasting Nile or Carcass (though Cynic's "Traced In Air" could be a slightly better for that... but that's almost an entirely different ball game depending on who you listen to.)

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars honestly..., July 25, 2009

By 

Prosthetics1209 (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cult of Static (Audio CD)

This album is just horrible. The songs are repetitive and redundant, and the production is cardboard-flat. Wayne Static, who used to tear it up no matter what he did (shrieking, growling, singing, etc.), barks in one annoying pitch for the entire album over uninspired and boring riffs. Multiple songs are about Wayne's new pornstar wife. I mean, i just don't give a [...], especially if the music is subpar. Which this is in every way.

I really don't know what happened; in my opinion, Wisconsin Death Trip through Start A War was all quality. Cannibal was alright, but this... I mean, it's just bad. Maybe they were just really drunk or something. Really though, don't waste your money.