Wish Upon a Blackstar

Wish Upon a Blackstar

The second studio album from Detroit cyber-rock project Celldweller was eight years in the making. But when you’re the sole band member, like multi-instrumentalist Klayton, it takes a while to do it yourself. Although Klayton’s creations are often described as electronic rock, he prefers “metalstep.” With skittering beats, a low wobbling bass, and fretboard-shredding guitar leads, the opening cut, “Unshakeable,” gives a perfect example as to why such a correction needed to be clarified. He inflects a bit like Trent Reznor throughout Wish Upon a Black Star, especially on the title track, which plays like a dubstep-infused Nine Inch Nails tribute. The more ferocious-sounding “Eon” recalls late-'80s Ministry, replete with power-tool industrial flourishes and screaming reminiscent of Al Jourgensen’s heyday. And though there are plenty of nods to Skrillex’s deep love for deep bass, the bubbly “It Makes No Difference Who We Are” is brimming with originality.

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