CoC : Re:Aktor - Zero Order : Review

Re:Aktor - _Zero Order_
(Nuclear Blast, 2003)
by: Jackie Smit (5 out of 10)

A curious move on the part of Nuclear Blast this is, signing an increasing amount of "futuristic" metal bands. First there was Raunchy, followed by fellow Danish electronic terrorists Mnemic, and now from Portugal, there's Re:Aktor. More curious even is the amount of label backing that has been afforded this band, with a high profile producer (New York based George Marino, best known for his work on Nickelback and Metallica records) being roped in to oversee the final mixing for what essentially is not much more than just another nu metal band. That's right folks -- where Mnemic could still reasonably be described as futuristic, Re:Aktor dabble in all things nu, right down to the Dez Faferra-style vocals employed on such tracks as "My Own Fear" and "Damage Zone". To be fair, it's not all bad and particularly towards the end of the record, Re:Aktor seem to hook up their influences to more interesting, not to mention heavier effect -- particularly on "Impact" or "Datascape Assembler". Even so, these songs fail to offer us anything that Fear Factory didn't do with greater skill on _Demanufacture_ almost a decade ago. The most commendable aspect of this album is its production: crystal clear and razor-sharp, it nearly manages to save the album from generic obscurity. Nearly.

(article published 21/9/2003)