These days, it seems that the term “supergroup” is often treated with skepticism, much like a Hollywood remake or a comic book adaptation. Many die-hard fans of the original bands dismiss the “supergroup” as never being nearly as good as each members’ previous projects. However, in the industrial and metal music circles, collaboration is key, and when Chris Connelly (Revolting Cocks, Killing Joke, Ministry, Acid Horse, Pigface) is involved, everything he touches turns to, well, gold. The project, however, is actually Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley‘s baby. Newly signed to metal label Relapse Records, The High Confessions cite psychedelic and progressive rock as their influences.
For fans of Connelly‘s previous side projects, and of early 90′s Wax Trax! Records artists, this album will seem familiar; the opening track, “Mistaken For Cops” features Connelly’s deadpan vocals over drums that sound like they came straight from Ministry‘s studio sessions.
“Along Come The Dogs” is a 16-minute experimental noise track reminiscent of Pigface‘s later work, building up into a haunting, feedback-drenched drone. “Dead Tenements” accelerates into frantic, tribal drums and chanting vocals which make you want to sit and listen quietly in a dim room. The final track, “Chlorine and Crystal” is a post-punk nightmare which echoes the frenzied noise of Sonic Youth, only shades darker.
Apart from the opening and closing tracks, none of the songs on the album are shorter than eleven minutes. Traditional song structure is more or less abandoned, and Chris Connelly‘s spoken word passages give the album a sinister feel. If you’ve been wondering what the founding fathers of indie and industrial music have been up to, this is a damn good example.
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