The HorrorScope seep in the listeners ears with a spacey electronic brand of metal, rap and ambient music. Not constricted to one genre form there's traces of death metal and nu metal and even rap flows similar to perhaps Insane Clown Posse all contained within. The band combines a hefty amount of influences and styles into this disc and doesn't fall victim to the typical stereotypes, but there is indeed a very Detroit rap sound to the album overall. Vocals are slightly nasal, there's some singing with soulful croons, and off the hip raps that don't exactly integrate into the music, and instead end up almost bouncing over the beat and rhythm. At times there's a little bit of spoken word styled stuff that can bring to mind a slowed down Suicidal Tendencies, expect done with a more cynical swagger. There's a lot of variation exuded throughout the multiple voice tones put down and lyrics delve more into a slightly more morbid side of things, but not in a cheesy manner. Guitars dip themselves in a mid ranged tuning, screeching out crunchy riffs and ragged loop like grinds. At times nu metal sounding and at times reminiscent of perhaps Stormtroopers Of Death there's an interesting contrast between old and new. Attention to pauses and space is utilized, and overall fulfill their task of cranking out a solid highend. Bass is electronically programmed, not too much variation is implemented, but there is some organic bass loops and trippy spiraling like progressions along with 808 like thunderous hits that keep the foundations rattling, backing the ambient/electronic element of the bands music exquisitely. Drums are also programmed and sound crisp, although perhaps a bit flat as the precision of each hit and tone can detract slightly from the feel of the music, but that aside they do serve well in keeping the beat marching on with a tight regiment. From normal kit styled hits to double kick metal reminiscent thuds, the music does definitely benefits from the drum machine. Programming and samples make up for a good part of the bands music and succeed in creating a consistently evolving environment that shifts and switches with ambient styled embellishments, effects and loops that are transposed and warped throughout the course of the tracks. The bands strong suit definitely lies within their aptitude for programming, it's a bit scaled down and not as alienating as most groups efforts, yet it keeps a very spaced out feel that can be entrancing with the rich dimensions constructed without sounding industrial. Unfortunately there is a slight lack of vocal cohesiveness that checkers the songs, it can sound a bit rough and unpracticed as some verses don't fit as well as they could. The music also lacks some integrity lyrically as well and at times can stray from the song structure and sound as if it were written to fit the bar of music rather than the inspired by creative expression. That said, the group takes elements of ambient, older metal, nu metal and rapcore, stews them all together and ends up with a surprisingly enjoyable blend of heavier music, although not the most perfect mixture, there is a good showcase of talent and electronic composition. The HorrorScope won't necessarily horrify the listener with grisly or gruesome content or excessively heavy music, they instead tend to focus on entrancing their prey with their electronically enhanced auditory environments displaying a sturdy pairing of genres with their technological prowess, all that is needed is a more concentrated effort on the natural elements to make this CD one to check out daily.
(3.5 / 5)