Long time rumors were seething VELVET ACID CHRIST might be put on hold or even on rest. But mastermind Bryan Erickson has pulled himself together and created another output. Anticipation and expectations were high… and couldn’t be fulfilled. Too bad.
Three years after having released Hex Angel and compilations Between The Eyes 1-4 VELVET ACID CHRIST comes up with Lust For Blood. Kicking off very promising with Wound (also the first single) the sound reminds of the band’s old days and still knows how to captivate the listener. For me already the highlight on this album it’s level wont’ be reached anymore. With the second track Parasite odd tunes sneak in. Singing is clean and un-distorted and almost appears (again) techno-like. Afterwards VELVET ACID CHRIST is permanently ranging in average areas. Not too fast, not too Industrial-like, not too hard, ranging between classic EBM/Industrial roots (Discolored Eyes, Disconncetd Nightmare), more electro-driven sound gimmicks (Polyester Meth Zeus, Ghost In The Circuit – overlaid by a terribly sounding jingle-melody) and guitar-dominated parts as in Lust and Blood. Even more Crushed gets out of line offering most time acoustic guitar lines and sounds somewhat of romantically poppy and gets fade out totally uninspired. The last both tracks are bonus tracks and together with Ghost In The Circuit pure instrumentals with a more trance-like approach.
Well, and my summary? Lust For Blood is surely a varied album that touches many stylistic directions. But especially this fact makes the record sounding half-cocked and undetermined. Most tracks don’t get behind the mean. The album might slowly endear after several runs but it’s nothing that kicks you out of your socks.