Taking as their base of reference the still-in-fashion 1980s blend of post-punk (The Cure) and goth-rock (Sisters of Mercy) – with hints of Nine Inch Nails and Nirvana – Seattle's Grave Babies' follow-up to Crusher is the band's line in the sand.

Founding member Danny Wahlfeldt has taken it upon himself to tackle all of the songwriting, and while there are sci-fi concept themes here that are too oppressive if not ordinary (the usual unholy trinity of dystopia, nihilism and misanthropy), at least the music mostly makes up for it.

Tracks such as Something Awful and Punishment are not set-ups for critical punch lines but rather are moderately paced, individualistic synth-driven goth-pop. On the flip side, songs such as War and N2 Ether are set in ways that all too obviously copy industrial music pioneers.

Still good enough.

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