Customer Reviews

KE 101

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

 

 

if you have not followed Crossbreed since the Synthetic Division days, to bad, because they have changed. As the previous reviewer noted, the electronic elements have been scaled back. Where as Synthetic Division was built around the synth lines, KE 101 uses them more as companion flourishes. Which does beg the question, why still employ two keyboard players? Soley to make sparks with the angle grinders on tour?

This is still a great CD. I have listened to it about a dozen times since getting in in the mail. My only complaint, their cover - Stevie Wonder's Superstition is an odd choice, and truth be told, not that cool. For an industrial/rock/electronic band something more akin to what Orgy did with Blue Monday would have made more sense to me, i.e. take a song from the industrial/electronic genra, and cover it.

Also, I've got no problem with the revisions to the New Slave Nation material. My only complaint there, why not put on 48 Grave? I'd have gladly taken an update of it over Superstition.

If you have not followed Crossbreed since Synthetic Division this will be a departure. If you have followed them through the New Slave Nation EP, this is more of their evolution.

Synthetic Division was a kick in the keister, although its sound was firmly rooted in nu millennium nu metal. New Slave Nation brought a more thrashy, heavy-hitting sound that promised to catapult the band into the new wave of American metal. I was disappointed however with KE 101. The production is a bit muddy (which is saying something for Crossbreed, who are known for cramming as many sonic elements as possible into their songs- only Strapping Young Lad makes this kind of busyness work) and the chords and riffs seem recycled from 2001. Many of the songs on KE 101 are rehashed versions of tunes from New Slave Nation, which is fine, but the original versions often outdo the remakes. Check out NSN's "Saints of Grey" and then listen to the new edition. No comparison.

I know Crossbreed can bring the ruckus, and their live show is a rockin' good time, but they should spend more time on tightening the songwriting craftsmanship instead of filling every nook and cranny with futuristic noise.

I was a huge fan of Crossbreed after seeing them multiple times living in Florida. I loved everything, from the spectacle of the live show to the electronic synth used in the music. A few years after Synthetic Division, I heard New Slave Nation, and was a bit scared that this was how the new full-length CD would sound. The vocals had gone from the nice range shown on SD to raspy whispering or screaming, and most of the synth was seemingly gone. Thankfully, Crossbreed's signature sound is back on this album, albeit a bit heavier.

First off I give this album a 4.5. I have been waiting for this album for a long time. Which I am sure many, many other people have as well. I like to say something about the 4 tracks that were on the New Slave Nation [EP]. They are not remixes. They are just re-recorded. Like most bands when they release and EP with some new songs, once they finally release the full length album there will be some differences. So in no way shape or forum are they really the exact same song. Some of them have noticeable differences some have little.

Sense that is out of the way. One thing you will notice is that Crossbreed is a little more harder on this album than they were on Synthetic Division. Also the use of electronics are sadly scaled down a bit. Not nearly as much as they were on Synthetic Division and even NSN [EP]. Now I really loved that about Crossbreed so I was a little disappointed by that. I am not saying there isn't much cause you can clearly hear them (better if you have head phones). Just a little less noticeable if you would compare Synthetic Division to KE 101. Then again these are TWO different albums and everyone must keep that in mind.

I have listen to this CD many times once I got it in the mail, and I must say if you are a fan of Crossbreed you will not be disappointed at all. Though you will hear how the band has changed compared to Synthetic Division. If you were lucky to own the limited NSN [EP] you kinda know where the new album was goin, but also it's a little different from the [EP] as well. I have a feeling some people who heard Crossbreed back in the day when Synthetic Division was around will be shocked by the changes. It might turn some of them away, and some of them will like the album like me. This is a great CD by Crossbreed, even if you never heard them before and you're just looking for a new band to listen to. Pick up this CD if you're into bands with electronics like SpineShank, Mushroomhead, VentanA, Keratoma, Static-X and so on.

Pros:
New songs
A bit heavier than Synthetic Division
Every song is good.

Cons:
Less noticeable electronics
Took so long for this album, and it just seems so short with only 11 songs on the album after waiting so long. I wish they had some extra tracks like B-sides from Synthetic Division days, and KE 101 that they didn't use or maybe a DVD with some good concert footage.
Has all the lyrics to each song be sides the song "End of Days"

Overall, this is a great album. Pick up this album and blast it LOUD!

It's been eight years since Crossbreed released their debut album Synthetic Division. In that time the band has gone through various member changes, label changes, and other problems that prevented them from putting out a full-length follow-up. 2009 finally saw the release of K.E. 101. The band's sound hasn't changed too drastically, with their signature industrial, synth-metal sound anchored by dual-keyboards and detuned guitars still intact. Their cover of Stevie Wonder's hit "Superstition" is kinda cool, but, as with many releases this year, the songwriting just seems to be boring and sub-par. There just aren't any memorable guitar, vocal, or synth melodies. With only two remaining original members, I think it's safe to say that their 2001 masterpiece was either the work of long-departed individuals or a group dynamic that is now dead and buried.

Awesome album. Has new hits plus a couple great updated old tracks. Favorite track has gotta be Saints of Grey. Pick it up!

Wow I was super hyped up for this cd. Unfortunatly half the tracks are remixed from New Slave Nation. Kill Everyone is a great opening track, and hollow's an awesome single, the lyrics in reverse with the beat going is just wow...other then that not much to get excited about unfortunatly. After playing in my car listening...going, wait a minute, havent I heard this song before. Kinda dissapointed but those 2 tracks I mentioned were worth it for me I guess.

Crossbreed is going to have a hard time promoting this album considering how dated it already is. Being a casual fan of their first album, I was kind of looking forward to this, their first record in 8 years. I was hoping that in that length of time they would have created something fresh and innovative. Wishful thinking.

What you do get on KE 101 is a whole bunch of Korn-ish Nu metal riffs, screaming vocals, no real melodies to speak of, and a watered-down image of a band that used to have some viability in the market. Synthetic Division was in no way a masterpiece, but it was appropriate for the era it came out in and it had some really cool songs with lots of electronic elements and agression. KE 101 has none of this. Like their Florida counterparts, Deadstar Assembly, Crossbreed continues to try and milk an already dead musical genre: Nu Metal. This album could have easily come out in 1999. What were they thinking? I should note that 3-4 of these songs came from their New Slave Nation EP, which was another boring effort in its self.

If you want electro-nu-metal done right then get an album by Spineshank. Or do one even better and pick up something by Deadsy, Zeromancer, etc. They are much better bands. Let Crossbreed stay in FL. There are plenty of 15-18 year olds who will be happy to see them glow in the dark at a local club.