Hacride comes from Poitiers, France and was formed in 2001. After a demo-release in 2002 named "Cyanide Echoes", the band is about to release their first full lenght on Listenable Records named "Deviant Current Signals". Six new songs and two tracks from their previous demo release offer a really good and varied album, displaying some pretty technical stuff. The music of Hacride is interesting, original as well even if some influences hits the listener directly. Bands as Meshuggah, The Dillinger Escape Plan, some parts of Textures, even some elements of Devin Townsend, but they still rock and has something great to offer.

The album opens with 'Human Monster', a fast and well structured track, the slow and heavy part in the middle of the song is captivating and the solo that follows is nice to listen to. A pretty Meshuggah influenced track but cool. It is followed by 'Typo', a slower start than the first track and then, technical good riffs and it speeds up to become faster and faster. A bit chaotic à la Dillinger Escape Plan and Meshuggah but damn well played, the keyboard sound reminds me of Sadist. Without it being overdone at all.

'This Place' is impressive, many good drum breaks and fresh guitar playing, a catchy chorus and a great oriental feeling near the end of the song is lifting the track up, to become the best on this album. 'Polarity' is close to sounding like Textures, maybe it isn't a coincidence, perhaps the track is connected to Textures' 'Polars'? A short instrumental track, not bad. The next track is deconstructed as well, Hacride knows how to build good songs, that's for sure, 'Flesh Lives On' proves that. Though the influences are a bit too obvious, so it's not as breathtaking as it should have been. And then, listen to 'Protect', on this one you will hear a bit of some great jazzy parts and a cool saxophone! This is the second track on this album that hits me, as being amazingly good. As said before the two last tracks are from the first demo. 'Cold' and 'Down' are good tracks as well, the screamed voice is good, the solos on 'Cold' and 'Down' are both very well played. The strange atmosphere on 'Down' is beautiful and damn well built.

The first time I heard the record, I thought: "This has already been done". After a couple of spins the whole record grew  more and more on me. I only wish and expect their next album to sound more like Hacride with their own personal sound, because they definitely have good compositions. A new and very good band from the French music scene. I will keep an eye on them for sure! 

Hacride website

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