Static-X – Project Regeneration: Vol. 2 (Album Review)
Static-X – Project Regeneration: Vol 2
Released: January 26, 2024
Lineup
Wayne Static // Vocals
Xer0 // Vocals, Guitar
Tony Campos // Bass
Koichi Fukuda // Guitar
Ken Jay // Drums
Online
Being a teenager in the early 2000s and involved in alternative music, there is no way you could ever escape the impact and influence of Static-X. The nu-metal and industrial metal bands of that era had the scene in a chokehold. Static-X was a staple on the playlists.
That is why when I first heard Static-X had returned with Project Regeneration: Vol. 1 after the passing of the iconic Wayne Static, I was a little sceptical. Yes, both projects include the frontman’s final recordings and originally, this kind of left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. But my scepticism was unfounded. The album hit all the right notes and felt like a loving tribute to Wayne Static. So, coming into Project Regeneration: Vol. 2 I admit I was a little more optimistic.
Optimistic in the sense that I always try and go into a release wanting to like what I hear. In the case of this album, that was achieved. One of the other thoughts I have on a first listen is to give the music context. Is this the kind of compilation of tunes that requires lying in a dark room with your headphones on to fully absorb it? Or is it the kind of album you put on to dance around and just enjoy it for what it is? Safe to say, Project Regeneration: Vol.2 is the latter.
From the minute the opening track ‘Stay Alive’ kicks in, it is a blood rave. An early 2000’s grungy sci-fi/action movie. ‘Z0mbie’ keeps that vibe going. It’s an evil disco. Drummer Ken Jay is on absolute fire. The need to don black latex and combat boots consumes me. It is the soundtrack for the hot goth girl at school you always wanted to be. Once ‘Jic-Boy’ kicks in, the mood is already set. While there are interesting moments vocally, with certain phrases wriggling their way into your skull- there is not a huge amount of change in the flow.
That is until we get to ‘Black Star’. Guitarist Koichi Fukuda takes his moment to shine, in what so far has been an album dominated by the rhythm section. Unfortunately, this break in style is only short-lived. The chugging slower pace starts to blend into the previous tracks and I start to get a little bored. Thankfully ‘Kamikaze’ wakes me up. It has that head bang, get rowdy and dance kind of vibe. I don’t possess much of a mind for creating visuals but the aesthetic it conjures up is hard to disregard. It is neon. It is grunge. It is cyberpunk. It is drifting in a JDM car. If this explanation does not make sense- you may be a little too young. It is the original The Fast & The Furious or any grungy industrial goth bar scene from any late 90s/early 00s movies.
As we head towards the middle of this album ‘No Hope’, ‘Take Control’ and ‘Tone’ combine and bring me back to the goth house parties of my late teens. , I can almost smell the sweat. Not in a bad way. The scent of cigarettes, weed and spilt vodka is intermingled with the aforementioned perspiration. I’m suddenly in a room where the overhead lights are down so the room is lit by a cheap LED disco ball. A couple is making out sloppily in the corner while some gorgeous girls in sky-high platform boots and full-body fishnets are dancing. Waving their arms hypnotically in front of the speakers. The guys with eyeliner and long hair, with equally as high boots, are head-banging between sips of their cheap beers.
Unfortunately, though, this is where I start to zone out again. Once I get to ‘Run For Your Life‘, the appeal of nostalgia has worn off. It becomes a little monotonous. Nine tracks in and I’m counting the listing to see how much I have to go. These are not bad songs, far from it, it is just back-to-back and listened to out of context- it does not grip me.
Just as I’m starting to lose it though, ‘Dark Place’ does pique my interest. I owe a lot of my personality in my teens to the Queen of The Damned soundtrack and this song sounds like it would slot right in. It is sultry, it is sexy and I can imagine a particular vampire lead singer performing it.
As we get towards the end of the album, the party vibes start to creep back in more. Again, it does not lose its heavy BUT it does feel more focused on melody. Tony Campos on bass dominates, reminding us of his impact on the overall sound of industrial/nu-metal. Tracks like ‘Disco Ostega’ live up to their name. The sweat, smoke and alcohol smell return but this time it is in the context of the late-night DJ sets at a goth club or metal bar.
I admit with a level of guilt that I am kind of relieved I am almost at the end. However, I am rejoicing that ‘From Heaven’ does rehash bringing back the sexy vampire vibes. While there are a few bonus songs, this one feels like it was supposed to be the proper end of the album. It is more introspective, giving a sense it is lyrically more important. The switch from the verses to the chorus is a little jarring and unfortunately not in a pleasant to-the-ear way. If you are not into ASMR, I do recommend not wearing headphones to listen to it. The breathing and crackles will either be incredibly satisfying or make you want to scratch off your skin (a very personal feeling here, I know).
I know I said I was happy to get to the end but I am somewhat thankful it did not completely end with ‘From Heaven’. The last two bonus tracks, their cover of Nine Inch Nails ‘Terrible Lie’ and ‘Grover Yada Data 14′ are appreciated. There is not much else to say about this but other than that this feels just like an appropriate time capsule and a final headbang session.
Overall, there is nothing inherently bad about the album. Conjuring up defining moments of my youth will have me looking back fondly, but I cannot honestly say this is an album I will go back to and listen again. I will say though, it is a fitting tribute to the memory of Wayne Static. It captures his essence and the band’s impact on the early 2000s industrial/nu-metal sound. The fact they can recreate this style of music consistently, especially with the inclusion of current vocalist Xer0.
I would urge both Static-X fans and those who are curious about their music to give this a listen.
Static-X – Project Regeneration: Vol 2 tracklisting
1. Stay Alive
2. Z0mbie
3. Jic-Boi
4. Black Star
5. Kamikaze
6. No Hope
7. Take Control
8. Tone
9. Run For Your Life
10. Dark Place
11. Disco Otsego
12. From Heaven
13. Terrible Lie (Bonus Track)
14. Grover Yoda Data 14 (Bonus Track)
Rating 7/10
Project Regeneration: Vol 2 is out January 26th via Otsego Entertainment Group. Pre-order here.
Review by Kayla Hamilton @kaylazomboid