Review STATIC-X ‘Project Regeneration Vol. 2’

Static-X belong to the veterans of the nu metal scene that grew in the 90s. At the time the band was very successful, especially in the US. The abrupt ending of this journey came in the early 2010^th when line-up changes started, and it was another blow of fate when frontman Wayne Static passed away in 2014.

It was in 2018 when the remaining original members of Static-X came together to record with ‘Project Regeneration Vol. 1’ a new album. Various guest singers and vocal recordings of Wayne Static helped the trio to realize this project which is a graceful way to say goodbye to their former bandmate.

After also having been on tour, Tony Campos, Koichi Fukuda and Ken Jay started to work on a new album which connects to the previous release. ‘Project Regeneration Vol. 2’ is the second chapter of Static-X’s return and 12 tracks have been chosen to create to setlist of this album.

It took me a while to get into the groove when it comes to this album. Even in the heydays of nu metal, bands like Korn and others weren’t my first choice but when it comes to ‘Project Regeneration Vol. 2’ things are slightly different. For me, the album is a grower that unveils new things with every round on the record player.

There is the hypnotic ‘Black Star’ with its heavy pounding beat. A similar approach and a different shine, that is ‘No Hope’ while ‘Tone’ comes with some samples that add a twist to the album. Electro stays in the background but is an element that can’t be missed on this album.

‘Run For Your Life’ is a panic-fuelled song with a close-to-nervous-breakdown vibe and ‘Disco Otsego’ isn’t everything but a colorful disco party. It’s instead a dark and roaring metal song with quite some electro elements and evil screams of despair.

Static-X’s newest release is an album that might need a few spins to unfold the full flavor. In the end it is an aggressive and dynamic nu-metal-based release that contains the roots of the band as well as the guys don’t tie themselves to the 90s only.