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Velvet Acid Christ   The Art of Breaking Apart
There's a fair chance that the sight of the review has prompted sharp intakes of breath (and possible a few hysterical shrieks or soiled undergarments) from the regulars on the VF Industrial forum. Yes, it's a Vermin review of an artist that isn't British and over 50, and the sudden lurch you felt was indeed the Earth toppling off its axis. So what the hell has caused this aberration? Well, it's safe to predict that "The art of breaking apart" has considerable appeal to the old-school, because if it didn't I wouldn't be touching it with a ten foot pole. I realise there's a whole wide world of exciting, dancefloor-friendly stuff out there with sexily distorted vocals churned out by snake-hipped nubiles, and to be brutally honest the kids are welcome to it. It bores me rigid. "The art of breaking apart" is the latest album by Hexfix 93- Bryan to his friends, family, and anyone who simply can't call a chap "Hexfix 93" without sniggering. Other albums by Velvet Acid Christ are available, but in the spirit of cheerful pig-ignorance I've ignored them. People have suggested I listen to them, of course, but my stock response of "I ain't listening to no Taint Satan Clusterfuck." And it's my loss, of course, because I'm having to admit that what I've been studiously ignoring is something remarkably damned good. I understand that this album has been received with surprise in certain quarters, due to its use of acoustic guitars and an apparent departure from what passes as the "norm" in fashionable society. The words "It's not Industrial" have probably been used at some point. Well, fuck 'em. This album is a blatant love affair with the music that grew up with, cross-pollinated with, and evolved alongside the Industrial scene of the 1980's. It comes across strongly in the title track, where the guitars chime and churn like "Garlands"-era Cocteau Twins, but don't be fooled into think that this is some dusty old retread over old ground. On tracks such as "Black Rainbows", Death In June-style strumming is forced into a tightly-focussed beat- it's a cutting-edge contemporary reboot of old Neofolk values. This isn't to say it's all classic black-clad stuff, however. Tracks such as "Vaporized" and "Killed in space" are still aimed squarely at the plastic-haired dancefloor muppets, and darned good examples of their ilk they are too. I just don't get the impression Bryan's heart is in it, though. The tracks where he slows down, lets the music breath, and fully indulge in the atmospherics are the ones that dominate this album. "Black Rainbows" alone has "classic" status written all over it, and it's chased hard by the Cure-meets-Numan broodathon that is "Amnesia". These are the ones that will be remembered. So this album will probably lose VAC some fans. However it's going to pull in more. It has crossover appeal without the merest hint of sell-out, and the old sods with Cranes albums in their collection are going to lap this up. "The art of breaking apart" wears its heart on its patchouli-drenched sleeve, and will steal your heart if you'll let it. Album of the year 2009. Reviewed by Vermin on November 21, 2009  [View More of Vermin's Reviews] This review was enjoyed by 5 out of 8 people. Did you enjoy reading this review? YES NO

Brapley Posts: 24

November 21, 2009, 11:52:am Great review as always (but what happened to the Knifeladder review you said was coming?). I have the same strange feeling about enjoying a VAC album, especially since I did listen to a bit of his older stuff (F.W.K.) as a teenager and then "grew out of it." Actually, it was your praise of "Black Rainbows" on the forum that influenced me to give this album a chance, and I ended up buying it too!

Neosuicide Posts: 1

The Art Of Breaking Apart November 23, 2009, 01:52:pm This album is brilliant. Hexfix93 knows what he is doing in the music scene. This album blew me away. I enjoy it a lot. I recommend it to my friends und online friends. Und i strongly support VAC. Ov course my mind is opened in the music scene. Und i do enjoy music all over the music genres.. Und i think everyone that is even reading this review needs to buy this album und add it to your music collection. For it is very good. When it first entered my house through mailing. I couldn't stop listening to it. This is coming from a VAC fan that has been following him for awhile!~ buy it! [neosuicide]