The early ‘90s was a prosperous time for the industrial music underground, marking the transition toward a more caustic and aggressive sound. Advances in technology and production techniques allowed for a better integration of guitars into the synthesized nightmarish soundscapes and danceable clamor that defined the genre. At the forefront of this new machine rock movement was 16volt, whose 1993 debut album ‘Wisdom’ helped usher in what would come to be referred to as “coldwave.” Released on Cargo, ‘Wisdom’ remains a prime example of 16volt’s now signature blend of mechanical percussion and atmosphere with the guttural rawness of punk/rock guitars, topped off by front man Eric Powell’s acerbic shouts and sinister whispers. Sadly, the original album has been long out-of-print, available via 16volt’s website as a digital album only… until now.
Almost 20 years later, the messiahs of machine rock return to the album that started it all! ‘Wisdom’ to the masses, remastered and featuring several never-before-heard remixes and bonus tracks. This re-release is a momentous occasion for fans of 16volt and industrial rock alike, a piece of underground music history that shows no signs of aging after almost two decades. Featuring production from renowned figures like Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (Skinny Puppy) and Keith “Fluffy” Auerbach (Ministry), Wisdom is not only an amalgam of the band’s early influ- ences, but also showcases the beginning of 16volt’s evolution into ever more adventurous territory, all the while presenting a vicious coldwave assault that sounds as fresh and as menacing today as it did in 1993. Listen, rejoice, and wise up! RIYL: Ministry, Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, 16 Volt…
