Genghis Tron – Signal Fire (Review)

Genghis Tron is planning in half-centuries, Signal Fire is the successor to 2021’s Dream Weapon, which I loved and still hold very dearly to my heart. It was a strong stylistic turn the band took, but it paid tenfold (in my humble opinion). An upgrade no one anticipated, but welcomed with open arms. Taking the updated line-up for another round and enhancing it even further by adding another “real” instrument with Kenny Szymanski (The Armed) on bass, Genghis Tron are ready to improve their Software even further.

This latest chip added to the circuit board equips the band with a more organic pulse. Purists and stubborn fans of the early days may argue that Genghis Tron is gradually giving up one of its defining traits—the strong electronic focus and clinical sound. What they overlook, however, is that the songs the band writes today are far more coherent and simply better than those from its chaotic beginnings. Tracks such as the opener “I Am All” and the epic “Tomorrow Mirage” effortlessly build bridges between Genghis Tron, Nine Inch Nails, and The Armed—sometimes within minutes, sometimes within seconds. The latter thoroughly defragments the hard drive over the course of seven minutes before restoring everything to harmonious order in its closing section.

A brief system reboot arrives in the form of the instrumental “Without Form” before “Born Prey” pushes every system—creative and aggressive alike—to full capacity once again. That particular track is perhaps the best showcase of Genghis Tron’s new sonic identity. Chaos has returned more prominently, yet without erasing the atmospheric elements that have integrated so seamlessly into the band’s universe. The pairing of “Signal Fire” and “Future Worship” brings longtime fans back on board while giving newer listeners exactly what they loved about Dream Weapon.

With Signal Fire Genghis Tron follow their newly forged path and take some elements of their own past back into their sound. Signal Fire may be more aggressive and fierce than Dream Weapon but it still contains those great spheric passages of its predecessor. At times they even sound like a sequel to the 18 years old Board up the house. Genghis Tron have restored some features from their old version to their newly established firmware. The system continues to run freely and without stylistic constraints. The update has been a success, the machine is running smoothly, and it is ready to be admired by a new audience.

Thomas Transcended

From: Herten (Germany)
Favorite Artists: Nine Inch Nails – Depeche Mode – Converge
Best Show: Envy@Gebäude 9 (Cologne)
Other Endeavors: Author at Plattentests.de