Dream Weapon
| Dream Weapon | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 26, 2021 | |||
| Studio | Godcity Studios, Salem, Massachusetts | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 45:31 | |||
| Label | Relapse | |||
| Producer | Kurt Ballou | |||
| Genghis Tron chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Singles from Dream Weapon | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Kerrang! | 4/5[2] |
| Metal Injection | 8/10[1] |
| Metal Sucks |   [3] |
Dream Weapon is the third studio album by American experimental metal band Genghis Tron, released on March 26, 2021. The album is the band's first studio album since 2008's Board Up the House and the first with vocalist Tony Wolski and drummer Nick Yacyshyn, marking the first time the band has ever used a drummer.[4]
Keyboardist Michael Sochynsky described the album's sound as having a "more meditative, hypnotic, and maybe psychedelic" direction. He also added that the album would have no blast beats or "Nintendocore" parts.[5]
It was elected by PopMatters as the 2nd best progressive metal album of 2021.[6]
Background[edit]
Genghis Tron's last album, Board Up the House, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim. The band released a series of remix EPs for the album in 2008 and 2009. In late 2010 on MySpace, the band members announced that they would be going on hiatus, but would return with new music once they started playing together again.[7] Nearly after ten years of silence, the band announced they were returning from hiatus and would be recording a new album with Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, who also produced the band's previous two albums.[8] The reunited lineup features original members Hamilton Jordan (guitar) and Michael Sochynsky (keyboards, programming) along with new members Tony Wolski on vocals, replacing Mookie Singerman, and Nick Yacyshyn on drums, with the band having previously used a drum machine on previous releases.[9]
A music video was released for the title track and lead single "Dream Weapon" on January 26, 2021. The video was directed by Mount Emult.[10] "Ritual Circle" was released as the album's second single on February 16. Axl Rosenberg of MetalSucks favorably compared the track to Tangerine Dream, Chvrches and Justin Broadrick.[11]
Track listing[edit]
All tracks are written by Genghis Tron
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Exit Perfect Mind" | 1:11 |
| 2. | "Pyrocene" | 6:13 |
| 3. | "Dream Weapon" | 5:13 |
| 4. | "Desert Stairs" | 2:05 |
| 5. | "Alone in the Heart of the Light" | 7:07 |
| 6. | "Ritual Circle" | 10:21 |
| 7. | "Single Black Point" | 4:23 |
| 8. | "Great Mother" | 8:58 |
| Total length: | 45:31 | |
Personnel[edit]
Genghis Tron
- Tony Wolski – vocals
- Hamilton Jordan – guitar
- Michael Sochynsky – keyboards, programming
- Nick Yacyshyn – drums
Production[12]
- Kurt Ballou – producer
- Ben Chisholm – engineering and additional production
- J.J. Heath – engineering and additional production
- Heba Kadry – mastering
References[edit]
- ^ a b c Morin, Max (March 25, 2021). "Album Review: GENGHIS TRON Dream Weapon". Metal Injection. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ Slessor, Dan (March 22, 2021). "Album review: Genghis Tron - Dream Weapon". Kerrang!. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ Rosenberg, Axl (March 22, 2021). "Dream Weapon Ain't Your Daddy's Genghis Tron (and That's a Good Thing)". Metal Sucks. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (January 26, 2021). "Reunited Genghis Tron Announce New Album 'Dream Weapon', Share First New Song In 13 Years". Stereogum. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Angle, Brad (February 3, 2021). "Genghis Tron on 13-Year Hiatus, "Psychedelic" New Album, Giving Up "Nintendocore"". Revolver. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Jordan, Blum; Spiess, Andrew (30 November 2021). "The 10 Best Progressive Rock/Metal Albums of 2021". PopMatters. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
- ^ "On the future of GT... van Genghis Tron op Myspace". October 15, 2010. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Redrup, Zach (10 August 2020). "NEWS: Genghis Tron reunite; begin recording third album!". Deadpress.co.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (10 August 2020). "GENGHIS TRON Announces New Album, New Lineup With SUMAC & THE ARMED Members". Metalinjection.net. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Sacher, Andrew (January 26, 2021). "Genghis Tron announce first album in 13 years, 'Dream Weapon,' share new song". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Rosenberg, Axl (February 16, 2021). "Genghis Tron Share New Song "Ritual Circle"". MetalSucks. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
- ^ New Noise Staff (February 18, 2021). "News: Genghis Tron Share New Song 'Ritual Circle'". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved February 19, 2021.