One of the most under-rated subgenres under the umbrella of metal is Industrial. Al Jourgenson with Ministry, Trent Reznor with Nine Inch Nails, Godflesh, even Mushroomhead and Motograter, bands manifesting the Industrial movement are everywhere and deserve a ton more credit and notoriety and commercial success. One such band that often flies under the average metal fan’s radar is Powerman 5000.
As many of us already know, Powerman 5000 is headed up by Michael Cummings, also known as Spider One and the younger brother of metal heavyweight Rob Zombie. It’s no surprise that both of their bands express similar characteristics such as unique lyrics and catchy choruses. Like many other bands, Powerman has had its fair share of line-up changes but currently consists of the aforementioned Spider One on vocals, Rattan Cayabyab (DJ Rattan) on drums/percussion, Murv Douglas (Murv3) on bass, Ty Oliver on lead guitar and Taylor Haycraft on rhythm guitar.
“Powerman has traditionally mixed electronics and metal as evidenced by their previous catalog. “When Worlds Collide”, “Nobody’s Real”, “Time Bomb, Baby”, just to name a few. ‘The Noble Rot’ follows in this vein but relies heavily on the electronic aspect to the detriment of its metal counterpart. Spider One’s vocals sound more like spoken word and have often been described as staccato or barking in nature. This album is no departure from that theme. The first single released from ‘TNR’, “Black Lipstick”, has that monotone spoken word quality that is prevalent throughout this album. It has references that any goth enthusiast will recognize immediately.
Just going through the tracklisting on this album shows a sense of humor that few bands embrace. This is entwined throughout the lyrics of all songs. Powerman’s lyrics have been known as “campy” and none of these tracks is any exception. “Cannibal Killers that Kill Everyone”, “Play God or Play Dead”, “Let the Insects Rule”, “Strange People Doing Strange Things”, all contain fresh, facetious text that keeps your attention. There’s also a discernible ‘80s influence with songs like “VHS” and “Special Effects”. “…let’s rewind like a VHS.” You can’t get much more ‘80s than that. Or can you? Powerman also lends their spin to a cover of “We Got the Beat” originally recorded by the Go-Gos in 1980. It’s sluggish and brooding and gives a completely different feel to its predecessor.
The only drawback to this compilation is many of the songs have the same basic drum beat and the music itself leans further towards electronica than industrial. Notable tracks would include “Brave New World” which as an anthem type chorus that Powerman employs often in its repertoire. Harkening back to earlier days, there’s also an updated version of “When Worlds Collide” which has very subtle differences that can be heard if you listen for them.
While this album very much follows the general nature and disposition of Powerman 5000, it’s really not a metal album. It walks a fine line between industrial and electronica which could be taken either positively or negatively by the listener, depending on their preference for or tolerance of electronic music. However, the lyrics are offbeat, eccentric, and expertly crafted for the songs therein. ‘The Noble Rot’ is a must-listen if you’re a fan of Powerman 5000 or the fantastic camp of a B-movie.