There isn't much of sense - or at least much about the music or the people behind it - on The Prohet Riel's website, and his / their website isn't all that much more informative. Is it a band? Is it a man? Is it a cult? Is it a revolution? It's all very enigmatic, and as a strategy it could go one of two ways: draw people in by appealing to their curiosity, or driving the away because it all looks a little bit strange and potentially brainwashy.
Being the curious sort, I decided to give 'Dethrown The Deformed Chrome' a listen. 'Summoning UFOs' is like a low-fi take on what Foetus were (ok, J. G. Thirlwell was) doing circa 1983, a weird hybrid of hyped-up electro. 'Start the Revolution' sounds almost exactly the same. 'Star Kids' features a low-tech adrenalised skittering drum beat and some squelchy distorted bass tones, over which manipulated vocals that sound like a cyberman pleasuring himself pant and gabble some largely indecipherable lyrics. I can't decide if it's an example of warped genius or some of the worst crap I've heard in ages.
Whispers about Jesus preface the ubiquitous banging techno drums on 'Godspeed You Druid Empire' before the treated Dalek vocals commence. It's different, and no mistake, but then, I'm not convinced it's all that different from Dr Mix and the Remix, only with sequencers instead of guitars. More importantly, I'm far from convinced that The Prophet Riel's 'Dethrown The Deformed Chrome' is anywhere near as good as Dr Mix and the Remix's 'Wall of Noise' album (originally released in 1979).
|
Sidestepping the album - and even the music - for a moment, I explore the websites further, and discover a lot of potentious babble that's deep and largely meaningless as far as I can tell. Artsy, cybermystic and odd, yes, but... well, really, I suppose how 'good' it is depends on how seriously (or not) they take themselves and their proclamations: 'We are called "The Neo Atlantiens." From Atlanta, Georgia to thee Atlantic ocean, the revolution has begun! The world will soon have mansions with flying cars, perfect health and no crime. The global utopia is coming world!'
Ultimately, assuming it is intended comedically, The Prophet Riel is most likely harmless enough. Like many self-professed prophets, TRP seems rather deluded, and I very much doubt a few bad Cybergoth numbers are going to have much revolutionary impact anywhere... but as I say, harmless enough, and I can't help but admire the innovative marketing.
www.Myspace.com/TheProphetRiel
www.RiseAtlantis.com
|
