Black Light Burns
Cruel Melody
4/5

Who It’s For: Those that believed Wes Borland had a lot more in him than Limp Bizkit, fans of good music in the 90’s
Sounds Like: The Cure, Depeche Mode, Filter, Nine Inch Nails

So, nu-metal’s pretty much dead and we’re all thankful. Those that have survived it seem to have shown and continue to show some more substance than a passing fad. One of the true talents that was overshadowed and left behind in this musical era of angst and rage is the original guitarist of Limp Bizkit, Wes Borland. After a few false starts on a post-Bizkit music career, the creative talent that is Wes Borland returns with an accomplished, mature sounding musical endeavour in Black Light Burns and their debut album in Cruel Melody.

What you’ll get from Cruel Melody is a brooding, synth-laden, rock album that harkens alternative music’s past, while still adding in enough interesting melodies and guitar work to make it stand out on its own. Collaborators on the album are long time friends Josh Freese (NIN, The Vandals, you name it, etc), Danny Lohner (ex-NIN), and there is even an appearance of Borland’s former LB band mate Sam Rivers. With these all-stars working with him, how could the album be bad? Although not perfect, it is a very solid listen that is worth your time.

Borland not only handles guitar duties on the disc, he is also the band’s vocalist. Providing a vocal delivery comparable to the likes of Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan, NIN’s Trent Reznor, and even a touch of David Bowie mixed in for good measure, Borland’s hooks and choruses will get in your head- try not to sing the hooks in “Stop A Bullet” and “New Hunger.”

An album quite like this has not been heard in some time. Unless you went out to buy a NIN record, you probably wouldn’t have expected this from a band’s first album. With that being said, some may take offence. Hold the cries of foul though as Borland has now definitely established himself as credible and has shed the red hat wearing beast completely. Cruel Melody may be one of 2007’s most original mainstream albums.


Track Listing:

1. Mesopotamia
2. Animal
3. Lie
4. Coward
5. Cruel Melody
6. The Mark
7. I Have A Need
8. 4 Walls
9. Stop A Bullet
10. One Of Yours
11. New Hunger
12. I Am Where It Takes Me
13. Iodine Sky

- Michael Kopko  Posted Aug. 25/07