Originally published by L.S.Media, September 21st 2011.
They say that form is temporary and that class is permanent, in Gary Numan’s case, it’s nailed down with a thousand six foot poles, a few million staples and an industrial size pack of Gaffer tape!
Ever since he arrived on the scene as part of the Tubeway Army in the late 70’s and thereafter on his own, he has continued to release album after album of scintillating music that defies ignorance of the industrial music and searing pop synths, in fact he welcomes it with open arms and embraces it with passion. Dead Son Rising is no exception, filled to the rafters with sounds that other bands would not even consider placing down for eternity.
Even with the tantalising imagery formed by the evocative lyrics running around in your head, will not prepare you for how good this album is as piece of work. It won’t appeal to all and sundry but that’s the beauty of it. Having waited for five years since Gary’s last album, Dead Son Rising focuses on what Gary does best, deep delving and driven bass, keyboard notes that sweep the gutter in search of that one exquisite musical observation and an idea that just sits in the pits of your stomach, aching to be hammered out and let loose. The tracks are simple, perhaps sometimes too simple but there is no doubting the pedigree behind them, as tracks such as the openers of Resurrection and Big Noise Transmission that start as if awakening a metal beast from its slumber grind into action, you can’t help but help wonder why has this not been done this way before.
You of course realise it has but just nowhere near as good. Dead Sun Rising is a track that just shakes you from your apathy, its spirit is infectious and heart breaking at the same time, a track that leaves you feeling powerless and rage consumed but with the knowledge that’s it is just absolutely wonderful. Much must be said also of fellow collaborator Ade Fenton whose programming and secondary keyboards bring out the best in the Godfather of Industrial Metal and pop synth.
Perhaps without his effort being put into the album it wouldn’t be the same; thankfully it’s something we won’t find out. Dead Son Rising is quite simply remarkable! You don’t need to know anything else!
4 1/2 stars
Ian D. Hall