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Shaolin Temple of Boom: Duel

Alternative/Electronic/Industrial Rock

3.5/5.0

Cherry Atom Pie Publishing
www.myspace.com/shaolintempleofboom
www.shaolintempleofboom.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  09.06.2010

Honestly, there's not a whole lot of 'boom' in Shaolin Temple of Boom's (SToB) latest EP Duel, at least not until you hit the middle mark. SToB is wholly one person, the very talented David Alvarez. Shaolin Temple, of course, refers to the ancient (5th century) Buddhist cult and, I'm just spitballing here, the 'Boom' may refer to percussive use of the electronic and industrial motif throughout this work.

Duel is more than a bit mesmerizing, though not wholly that interesting. Matching some symphonic strains with industrial jams, as on Into Nothing, isn't that novel. Alvarez gets more clever on the title track where he seemingly combines the industrial motif with metalcore (or something like it). There's the 'boom,' if you will. It's seems an unusual hybrid. But since the whole industrial-quasi-techno stuff is outside of my fringes, and truly beyond the scope of this review site, I'm not sure I want to be pinned down to that observation. However, this also is probably being done elsewhere.

The greater work of art on this short six song EP is Evil, a solid piece that evokes Pink Floyd's Animals meeting a modern industrial music category. It's quite good, and possibly the only track on the album that would possibly persuade me to listen to SToB in the future. However, the last track Transference, which has a deeply melancholy, almost sorrowful, and dangerously close to being lethargic sound, also piqued my interest as well.

I'm sure Shaolin Temple of Boom and Duel should have its admirers, especially those who dig electronic/industrial foundations grooved with symphonic and hard rock elements. Give it a listen.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

I'm sure Shaolin Temple of Boom and Duel should have its admirers, especially those who dig electronic/industrial foundations grooved with symphonic and hard rock elements.

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