Fotocrime does not get the credit they deserve as gatekeepers of the next wave of Post-Punk. Hell, as later stage Coliseum fans (Vocalist/Guitarist Ryan Patterson’s pre/current? Foto outfit), we’re even guilty of not tuning in as much as we should have! But we’re looking to correct that mistake on our part and throw our support behind Security, Fotocrime’s brilliant new bout in the Post- realm.
While not as urgent as, say, Killing Joke’s debut or Absolute Dissent (The most recent return of all four original members), this newest offering from Fotocrime is the band’s most immediate since their emergence in the Post-Punk scene nearing a decade ago now. Speaking of that genre that Fotocrime sees itself seeped in, opener “Crimewave” is a nifty slab of modern Post-Punk that’s like a “welcome home” following some time away. Then there’s “Plowjob” which sees that drum machine in full effect, creating some beats akin to early Industrial while Patterson, Benjamin Clark (Guitars) and David Cundiff (Bass) go off and cultivate a fitting dark sonic environment around the programmed sounds followed by “Shockwave” which is the kind of timeless track that’d sound at home on Coliseum’s initial end with Anxiety’s Kiss or as the flip side to Fotocrime’s debut track “Always Hell” as much as it would Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures.
And if the Patterson/Cundiff/Clark combo wasn’t enough for you then you’re in luck because Security has some GUESTS! Starting back on “Plowjob” with Aaron Turner (SUMAC, Split Cranium, Isis, etc), Security boasts an impressive lineup of extra talent including J. Robbins (Jawbox! Who also co-produced the record), Nick Yacyshyn (Baptists, SUMAC) and Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Botch) that culminates (we think) early with “Unthinkable” featuring drummer Jay Weinberg (Ex-Slipknot/Suicidal Tendencies who also pops up on “Cautious”) and Napalm Death’s own Barney FREAKIN’ Greenway on back up vox/harmonies. We know it’s rare but there are moments of harmonic clarity within Napalm Death recordings so we think if you dug their “Amoral” off 2020’s Throes of Joy… then “Unthinkable” will be your new ND adjacent JAM!
Elsewhere, “Disharmonizer” gets back into some dark grooves with Patterson’s smooth vocal delivery heightening the mood while “Intimidation” is a rousing rawker with guitars acting like warning calls. Speaking of the Rawk, “Dreamstate” begins with some sick riffage before Cundiff’s low end reverberations along with Luke Stevens’ drum kit work and Patterson’t hypnotic voice form some solid syncopation that reminds us of Nurse-era Therapy?. Cundiff stands out again by starting “Cautious” with a robust rumble amidst Patterson’s barks and Clark’s staccato shredding with “Grifter” bringing some glistening moments of grandeur thanks to the shining synth work. The title track wraps up Fotocrime’s latest in a dazzling way on a song that’s instantly iconic as it builds and builds towards a climax and modern Post-Punk excellence!
Security is out now through the indomitable Artoffact Records and you can get your copy now by heading here or to the stream below. For more from Fotocrime, including ALL the info on their upcoming tour which takes the band to Medford’s Deep Cuts on April 13th with New England’s own Chainlacing and Gossip Collar as support (Advance tix here), hit the socials by clicking here or here.