“Personal Revolution,” the third album from the French industrial outfit Chrysalide, is a bombastic blast to the senses. It is angry and harsh with powerful hardcore industrial sounds yet surprisingly danceable with underlying synthesizer based pop melodies.
It’s clear that Chrysalide has a lot to say both musically and politically as the album opens with “Welcome to the 21st Century,” a spoken intro by a female voice espousing the wrongs of our current society and declaring “This World Is Totally Fucked Up!” In fact, their take on individual responsibility due to the failure of society as a whole is a recurring theme throughout. Tracks like “Question Everything” and “We Are Not Cursed” are true face-melters as the band takes us on a deep, dark ride. Brothers Arco and Syco Trauma provide distorted vocals and Yoann Amnesy is the master of the re-mix. Chrysalide shows off their songwriting talents and versatility with the slower vibe of “Cynicism Is a Poison” and the hip-hop/industrial blend of “All Demons.”
With “Personal Revolution,” Chrysalide has given us a glimmer of hope for the future of Industrial music providing a welcome addition to a struggling genre.
