Rustcycle - "Twin Arcs"
(self-released 2002)
Rustcycle - "Twin Arcs"
(self-released 2002)
From Aural Innovations #23 (April 2003)
Rustcycle, the nom de plume of Colorado musician and technophile Adrian Johnson, creates a thoroughly successful blending of different styles, including industrial dance music, AOR rock, electronica, and even a bit of Robert Miles-like dream stuff. But rather than just being a pastiche of these styles, Johnson truly merges them into a style that is unique.
He cites Nine Inch Nails and Joe Satriani as major influences, and while these influences are easy to hear in his music, neither one dominates. Johnson is inspired, but not a copier. Forgoing vocals, other than some brief spoken word bits on Lotus Carving (and eschewing some of the harsher angst ridden elements of NIN), Johnson opts for a driving instrumental sound that is brighter, but still vivid and intense. Layering epic rock guitar freakouts with danceable but still quite creative rhythms, stabbing electronics, and warm melodic atmospheres, Rustcycle is the perfect antidote for those who are tired of traditional 90’s style techno.
This is music that’s like a sudden glare in the darkness. It’s the music of the rushing city, of traffic lights blurring in the slipstream of modern life, of information coursing through electronic veins. It’s the burning heat of electronic components on overdrive and the chill of a nighttime breeze as you stand on a high-rise balcony overlooking the urban expanse of illuminated dreams.
It may be edgy and dangerous, but it’s too enticing to turn away from.
For more information you can visit the Rustcycle web site at: http://www.rustcycle.com.
Contact via snail mail c/o Adrian Johnson; 2410 Courtney Dr; Colorado Springs, CO 80919.
Reviewed by Jeff Fitzgerald