Customer Reviews

Synthetic Division

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been listening to Crossbreed since 1997. I picked up this CD years ago when it was released and to this day I still listen to it frequently. It is by no means bland and contrary to the idiot 2 below me, this CD does offer a very lasting appeal and impression on the listener no matter how long you've been listening to it.

Keep an eye on Crossbreed, they will be a big name eventually. If you like the synthetic stylings of bands like Fear Factory, Static-X and Spineshank then you should definately check Crossbreed out.

when i first saw these guys in Hit Parader, i didn't think much of them. As i walked through a bookstore/videostore/music store, i saw Synthetic Division just sitting there. I picked it up and for 14 bucks i purchased it, not knowing that they were like. As soon as Severed hit, I was drawn into the excellent mix of music i was hearing. here's a rundown.

Severed 5/5 - definitely an awesome opening song. These guys really have a definite sound that totally kicks butt. I like this intro and its hauntingly hypnotic.

Seasons 4/5 - Not quite sure waht the songs means, but there's more to it than just meaning. lots of effort is put into making each song diverse from the next. a good song.

Underlined 5/5 - tied for best song next to Severed. This was their only hit from this album, i believe (not too sure) and its a darn good one too! From the video you gather what kind of show they put on and it looks fantastic. Underlined is a very good song. one of the best if not the best.

Breathe 5/5 - anotehr great song. Prolly could have been their second hit if they'd kept with it. During the intro it has a sweet sound playing that what my friends and i have come to acknowledge as "rain drops." very sweet track.

pure Energy 3/5 - kind of disappointing after the first few tracks. but its a filler to the next track.

Release Me 4/5 - good track. "The walls been broken down." i like this song only because of that line, it makes the song very good because its a powerful line.

Machines 4/5 - i like the intro "YOU" "complain.." a yell followed by a low verse. very clever and very entertaining.

Painted Red 3/5 - A decent Song. I can't really tell you what to expect because it all blends in the same way after "Machines" they do start to sound the same.

Stem 3/5 - again, same thing. not much variety.

Concentrate 4/5 - i recognize this song as being a mix up in my head. But its still good.

Regretful Times 3/5 - another repetitive song. same thing

Lost Soul 4/5 - a good closing track.

Well i know the review gets a little vague as it closes but so does the album. it just starts sounding the same. they start out very well and then go down hill. the last track is decent but nothing to really leave you in awe. Underlined, Breathe, Release Me, and Severed are the best songs.
I have noticed that there is some hint of Jonathon Davis in the music. The leader sing definitely had a Korn influence of just a little bit with his voice. but then again, who doesn't nowadays?

pick 'em up for some driving music. works well.

peace

Im a huge fan of Techno music and Heavy Metal music. Few bands hold the power to mesh the two musical styles and Crossbreed happens to be one of them! These guys are like a mix between Rave and Thrash Metal music. The have trippy techno flowing through the rough hardcore metal which leaves one wanting to mosh and dance all at once. Slamming guitars, Industrial drums and bouncing techno beats. These guys do it all and they do it well! So if your like me and into the Rave scene as well as the Metal scene too, this band is perfect for your ears! Turn the lights off, turn the strobe on, bust out your black light bracelets and get the party started....RAVE METAL STYLE! Other note worthy Techno Metal bands are as follow. Spineshank, Static-X,
Rob Zombie, Lords of Acid, MDFMK and others. Some great techno bands are as follow. Chemical Brothers, Lords of Acid, Praga Khan, Aphex Twin, Daft Punk and more. Check 'em out and prepare to RAVE AND MOSH!

The electrical, head-pounding technophoria that is Industrial Metal has been ripped and riveted by bands who use the name incorrectly, or by those who start out in the genre and slowly, musicially, slip away into generic nothingless (e.g. FF, R.I.P.). A big fan of Industrial music back in 1999-2000, I had recently given up all hope of any redeeming music coming from it's deafened voice. Now, enter Cross|x|Breed... Synthetic Division is a 'refreshing' (as another reviewer described it) entry into a would-be dead genre, IMO. Their music doesn't rely on cheesy, over-played bass riffs to carry a deadbeat melody across your eardrum. Instead, each song takes on numerous musical transitions, emphasizing different instruments interchangabley, with a wonderful techno/ambient gallery generated by two of the most talented arrangers I've heard in a long time. The vocals range from a stress-relieving, agressive growl to a ballad-like melodity. Lyrically it's very catchy, and you'll be guarenteed to be singing the choruses quietly to yourself as the day progresses. I'm also a sucker for a good stage show. I think half of the reason I purchased the CD in the first place is I saw a display for it with a large poster of what looked to be the coolest techno stage-show I have ever seen! The band photo on the back is *really* intruiging. It really adds to the atmosphere of the music to see what these guys look like in 'full Techno-Industrial gear'. Fans of Coal Chamber, DEMANUFACTURE-era Fear Factory, NIN, Static-X, Stabbing Westward, etc. will find this album rather enjoyable.

Crossbreed is very unlike other industrial bands in that they don't just use electronic equipment, they use real European style Techno Beats with their hard rock/metal guitars and vocals. This creates a very interesting sound that could appeal to both metal-heads and techno fans. The best songs on this album are Underlined, Pure Energy and Seasons. Give them a listen you may be pleasantly suprised underground could sound this good.

this CD is alright...it has some Keyboards, and singing and screaming...the riffs are pretty awesome, and the drumming is cool.....i heard about this band from Metal Egde magazine and they were right, they are good....
if you like Mushroomhead you most likely like Crossbreed

These guys chose their name, carefully. "Crossbreed" is a definite metal mix of diverse songs. They blend many different heavy metal bands together to create this totally new, awesome band. Crossbreed combines the sound of Flaw, with the heaviness of Pantera, with the intensity from Slipknot, to the hardcore stlye of Marilyn Manson, with the roaring guitars from Rammstein, to the famililar sound of Static X. Only this time, it's done right. The little 'techno-jinlges' bring out the sound rather than annoy the heck out of you. Each song is diverse, and has a not so melodic, but powerful and agressive meaning. Still rising from the underground street scene, I anticipate the arrival of their newest album. Crossbreed is nearly flawless throughtout their music. They are the kings of a newborn (and brutal sounding!) heavy metal genre.

This Tampa, Florida band is quite unlike any other band you may know of. Combining the raging, headbanging, mosh-pit style of modern metal/hard rock bands such as Slipknot or Drowning Pool with the pulsating, rhythmic beat of such techno bands as The Prodigy and The Crystal Method, Crossbreed is one of the best underground bands out there now. You could compare them to Fear Factory or Stabbing Westward in that aspect, but they are soooooo very different. If I were to call this band anything, the would be something like Techno-Goth Metal. The band members compose of Chris Nemzek on guitars (keeping a good, steady metal sound), James Rietz with his vocals (which range from synthetic monotones to raging, ear-splitting shrieks), Travis Simpkins (one of the fastest and best new drummers that I've seen/heard), Flip (the keyboardist, without whom Crossbreed would be just another metal band), Charlie Parker on bass (keeping that rhythm steady), and last and of course not least, DJ Izzo (filling in the other half of the techno sounds, including the scratches and bonus keyboards). They are nuts to see live-donning day-glo makeup, glow-in-the-dark contact lenses, strobing fiberglass filaments stretched over their bodies, and impressive light shows/movements, they are just as fun to see as they are to hear. To more clearly see what I am talking about, watch the video to their first single, "Underlined". It should be on MTV2 or MTVX from time to time. Now for their songs...

Just one thing I should mention before I get to the individual songs: they always have GREAT intros, and the songs are fully structured (not opening with the chorus, then switching to verse, then going to chorus, etc.), and no two are really alike. They are also all over 3 minutes long-not a too-common occurrence in modern hard rock.

1-Severed-Not my favorite song, but still a very good opener. The intro is spooky and haunting, and the song really picks up towards the end. All in all, I rate it ****

2-Seasons-Awesome blend of techno and metal, switching from a deeply techno-like beginning to metal with traces of techno throughout...just...a beautiful song. One of my favorites. *****

3-Underlined-The first single, and one of their best. I haven't heard it too much, but I am already somewhat bored with it. Has good appeal to it; a good beginner's song. ****

4-Breath-Nearly pure techno (especially in the intro and chorus and bridge), this song is one to dance to while headbanging. One of my near-favorites. ****

5-Pure Energy-Meh, okay song, nothing toooo special about it, but it's not bad, either. **1/2

6-Release Me-Good drum beat during the intro. The techno sound flows neatly into metal and back throughout the song. One of my favorites. *****

7-Machines-Average song, possibly my least favorite song on the album. **1/2

8-Painted Red-A pretty good song. Average, though more so than "Pure Energy" or "Machine." ***

9-Stem-A fast-paced, mostly techno song. Definitely another favorite. *****

10-Concentrate-Above average song, very angry. Good foot-tapping song. ***1/2

11-Regretful Times-This one has to have the darkest lyrics on the album ("The damaged style and damaged skin/ Is peeling off and burning within/ The tearful eyes are drowning frowns..."), and the whole song just sort of sends chills down my spine. Pretty good! ****

12-Lost Soul-A great closing song. Goes from quieter vocals to screams (and therefore the music goes from quiet to loud). ***1/2

All in all, this is a great debut album by a great new band. Be sure to buy it SOON. You won't regret it.

I was hesitant when I first bought this CD. Afterall, the only song I'd heard was "Underlined," and I liked it, but then again, I actually wasn't able to understand most of the lyrics the first few times I listened to it. But with the lack of airtime for the video, and the song, I decided to go for it. I'm glad I did. This CD takes you to places you never knew music could take you. It mixes creative lyrics with a great variety of industrial music, to give you an experience you won't soon forget. They sound like KoRN with lead vocalist James Rietz' voice and deep-pitted vocal pitches, but have the range of music of the techno-esque band Orgy. Great combination if you ask me, and it's like a dream come true to most rock fans. Highly recommended. Give them a chance. I guaruntee you won't forget the sound of Crossbreed anytime soon.

I saw Crossbreed live opening for Ramms+ein. After the concert I realized how much I really enjoyed them so I bought this CD not really expecting much at all. Man, was I surprised! From the very first song all the way to the end is wonderful. There are NO fillers in this CD.

Be aware, however, that this CD must grow on you. For me, I did not appreciate songs 6-12 for a few weeks later... at first they seem like fillers, but as you listen it becomes obvious that the ENTIRE CD is excellent. "Breathe" is an AWESOME concert song -- the song I immediately remembered from the concert after listening for a few seconds. "Lost Soul," the last song, is perhaps one of the best on the CD along with "Severed."

If you like MuDvAyNe, you will especially love this CD. Crossbreed is an awesome underground band... they will not be considered underground for much longer if they keep making incredible stuff such as Synthetic Division! You will not be disappointed with this CD!