It’s a dark and personal album about acceptance. The aggressive, fast paced, in your face music of past albums seems to be missing for the most part on this release. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are tracks on here that are explosive and full of the OTEP sound that fans are familiar with. Yet, for the most part, the foot has been taken off the metal gas pedal this last go around. The tempo is quite slower but just as powerful and emotional, if not more than ever before.
Opening with the short, dark spoken verse track “Rising,” it sets a tone for the listener – this is going to be something quite different from the band. When Otep speaks, “Tonight, the sermons I write will save my life and yours,” she quickly gets your attention. The band plugs in and accompanies her for the last minute of the song adding a bit of metal edge to the ending. “Blowtorch Nightlight” is a great example of the tempo on this album being slowed down while still maintaining the power that we have come to expect from the words of Otep.
“Blowtorch Nightlight” is a great example of the tempo on this album being slowed down while still maintaining the power that we have come to expect from the words of Otep.
“Seduce and Destroy” is one of several standout tracks with its dark, slow and grinding approach to its delivery.
“Hematopia” is a short, yet powerful spoken word track in its dark lyrics that seem to cry out for help. “I’m never alone, but I’m lonely all the time” is a haunting and painful line in this somber and powerful number.
- I think my favorite track on the album may have to be “Apex Predator” in all its lyrical brilliance and creative originality.
(source)
