Album Review: Blaqk Audio - Material

Four years after Bright Black Heaven, AFI side project Blaqk Audio are back with the passionate and cold Material.

There's a breadth of influences here, ranging from Soft Cell and Fall Out Boy to Ministry and Rites Of Spring. Although more likely stylistic choice than studio blunder, Davey Havok's occasionally flat vocals are a detriment to the record. Still, it's a drop in the bucket given the jagged eloquence of the heavy synth leads and chiptune trills. Waiting To Be Told is a sinisterly heavy piece of Depeche Mode worship, while Graphic Violence wouldn't be out of place at an under-18s dance party.