Photo Credit: Overrider
After two years of silence, Manchester-based cyberpunk outfit Overrider release their album Sparse Vector.
Although the band may have been absent for the best part of two years, Sparse Vector has been sitting patiently, awaiting release for roughly twelve months, as the band explain: “It’s been ninety percent complete for about twelve months, and we’re not a band who usually hang around when finishing things.”
True to there word, this album does not hang around. Album opener Tokyo 3 makes a thunderous entrance and engages from the outset. Production on the track is outstanding, from the cross-genre beats courtesy of John Simm to guitar parts by Overrider themselves, making for a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
Moving further into the record, Black Wings gives similarities to that of Propellerheads in style. The use of big beat rhythms combined with distorted vocal patterns are a staple throughout the nearly four-minute offering.
Sparse Vector is Overrider’s first release to feature contributions from Simm, who provides drums and percussion for the majority of the record. His influence can be clearly noticed on tracks such as Helix and Khallos. The band commented on Simm’s contribution to the record saying: “The contributions, especially John’s, were more significant. He basically came in with a huge folder of beats. Some really off-the-wall stuff, some more caveman things, but that was the basis for the writing process.”
This is not an exit is drenched with unusual soundscapes and has a relaxed, deep house feel throughout the track. Nearing the end of the album, Fracture gives comparisons towards nu-metal, think that of the infamous Linkin Park album Hybrid Theory.
Final offering, Shattered ends where the album began. High energy and in-your-face beats take control, and layered over the top are prog-rock influenced guitar riffs. The heaviest offering yet from Overrider.
A beautifully engineered album, which takes you on a journey through multiple genre fusions along the way. Most of all, a fantastic listen.
9/10
Standout tracks: Tokyo 3, Black Wings, Fracture
For Fans Of: Aphex Twin, Propellerheads, Linkin Park
Written by: Ben Gilligan
