LINKS (forthcoming)
Get 'Haywire':
Static In My Brain
Reviews
Outburn #12 (Octavia's Alcove)
STATE OF BEING
Static In My Brain (4/5)
(Reverse Image)
DARK INDUSTRIAL ROCK: State of Being combine industrial, gothic rock, and electronic elements to create a sound that unites the synthetic and the organic. This Cleveland, Ohio five peice band is led by founder and visionary Christopher Földi who handles lead vocals, programming, and guitar, and is joined by Shara von Földi on keyboards, percussion, vocals; Scott Földi on guitar, vocals, keyboards; Johanna von Földi on drums; and Rayanne (the only non-Földi in the band) on keyboards and bass. That's a lot of keyboards for one band! The in depth songs on Static In My Brain take unexpected turns moving from hard rock to electro dance with aggressive but still melodic vocals that have just the right amount of attitude. This seven song EP also includes four bonus tracks in MP3 format.
Side-Line #31
STATE OF BEING
Static in my brain (7-track cd)
The Americans from State Of Being totally seduced me. They're work is the alchemistic process between electro and heavy guitar-gothic. The opening track "X Approaching -1" directly shows you their talent. There's a diabolic symbiosis between both styles, so we can start to speak about a new form of cross-over. The deeply and captivating vocal parts have been perfectly married to the music. Track after track, "Static in my brain" grows and grows to become grandiose of "Opportunity". This master-cut is comparable to the latest album of Armageddon Dildos... and that means a very personal, powerful dance-sound built up by diversified styles. From start till end, each song delivers a new surprise. Other cuts like "In control" and "No control" just reinforce my conviction that State Of Being is a band reflecting a high potential, lot's of maturity, and inspiration! Supurb! Contact: Reverse Image Productions, PO Box 770413, Cleveland, Ohio 44107 USA. (DP: 8/9) DP.
Stateofbeing
Static In My Brain
(cd – Reverse Image)
By forming a band in 1989 that would eventually become State Of Being, Christopher Földi found an outlet to feed his musical curiosity. His bandmates have inevitably fallen into positions that challenge and elevate his vision. They put new directions into older tunes, evolving into music that is more charged, more powerful, combining goth and industrial with electronic elements. This elektro-pop band out of Cleveland has a good live reputation and brings songs full of emotion, energy and power. The music reminds me of Cyan/Eternal Afflict and is really worth listening to. Static In My Brain is only 28 minutes in length but brings you seven very good songs. Some of the songs are : the rough industrial Opportunity, the 80's minded In Control and the rather calm live demo Rain. If you are looking for something new and combining different elements from all kinds of genres you definitely are looking for Stateofbeing.
Volume 29, Number 45, November 12-18 1998 (p.48)
State of Being
Static in My Brain
Only 28 corrosive minutes in length, Static in My Brain is like a shaken bottle of carbonated aggression ready to explode in your face the second you cue it up. Manned by songwriter/programmer/lead vocalist Christopher Foldi, State of Being has an abrasive, yet listener-friendly style, combining the galloping bass lines and oppressive futuristic atmosphere of Front Line Assembly with the nasal teeth-gnashing and latent pop sensibilities of Nine Inch Nails' Pretty Hate Machine.
From a songwriting point of view, there isn't a lot to write home about here. Then again, no one ever took Trent Reznor to task for not being able to hum along to "Big Man with a Gun" or "Eraser," so the importance of melodies here is debatable. The exception is "In Control," which sports a hook that sticks long after it's over. With a little luck, "In Control" could make some serious waves for this quartet--it's already a high point of SOB's live shows.
"In Control" aside, Static in My Brain can be dangerous terrain for the uninitiated. Foldi displays a creditable knack for building up and releasing tension in an ear-pleasing and gut-satisfying fashion. This mastery of aggro-sonics is showcased during the acidic opener "X Approaching -1" and better exemplified by the jackhammer drive of "Opportunity" (a real flamethrower and the best track on this EP). For the more Goth-leaning industrial types, "Vision" and a live demo of "Rain" are both dominated by moody synths and downtrodden lyrics. There's even a track for the noiseheads--the aptly titled sample clinic "Static" layers chipmunk-speed speech snippets and helicopter-sounding electronic noises over what sounds like that giant flying beer can from Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Any forlorn souls out there seeking a new form of mechanized release? Static in My Brain awaits.
--Victor Cooke
Contact:
Reverse Image
P.O. Box 770413
Cleveland, OH 44107
www.stateofbeing.com
chris@stateofbeing.com
STATE OF BEING Static in my brain (CD)(Reverse Image)
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Some say that reviewers only listen to CD's for a couple of minutes before they judge it….if you should do that with this
Ohio-based band I'm sure that they would be labelled as a sort of "Nine Inch Nails"-type of band. But that's only a small part
of the band's sound. If you listen to it in a proper way (and that's how it really should be) then you can say State Of Being
are an electro-industrial band that has elements from EBM, traditional goth, old new wave (bands like Magazine) and even
Prodigy-moments. Their music is never difficult, it are like well crafted popsongs that are dressed up in unique dark clothes.
Previous comparisions has been Mussolini Headkick, Nitzer Ebb, Cabaret Voltaire or Front 242 and that must be because of the
agression or the high number of beats per minute you get, but a track like "Rain" sounds like Gary Numan remixed by My Life
With The Thrill Kut and that's something you don't hear that much….. The support from the local press is something they
already have (all based upon their earlier recordings) and having heard some songs from their forthcoming album 'Implosion'
(I'm really lucky, not?) I'm sure they can maintain that faith….. A must for everyone who's into cybermusic with an original
approach…. (CONTACT : STATE OF BEING, PO BOX 770413, CLEVELAND, OHIO 44107, USA)(www.stateofbeing.com)
Volume 1, Issue 9, September 1998
from "Sounds of the City" by LAURA DEMARCO AND JOHN C. BRUENING
State of Being, Static in My Brain (Reverse Image). Since forming in 1990, State of Being have been a steady fixture in the local goth/industrial scene, turning out solid, keyboard-based synth rock with a dark, metallic edge year after year. Their 1998 release, Static In My Brain, takes their sound a few steps forward, with a live demo cut and an adventurous, dancey130 bpm number called "No Control" that almost crosses the industrial-electronica divide.
Volume 1, Issue 9, September 1998 (p.17)
State Of Being
STATIC IN MY BRAIN
Reverse Image Records
The Cleveland based State Of Being is back with their new EP release, STATIC IN MY BRAIN. You may be saying to yourself, "who the heck is State Of Being, and where are they back from?" Well, if you're up on the local electro-industial music scene, you may know them from seeing them perform live on one of many occasions in the past. You may have read an interview with Christopher Foldi in Tab (volume 2, issue 4, pp. 16&17) or one of the many reviews of their debut full length release DYSFUNCTIONAL VISION, which were scattered throughout many music magazines back in 1995. Maybe you've even heard State Of Being on the radio. The End, 107.9 has played cuts from DYSFUNCTIONAL VISION on several occasions. You may have even . . . wait, it doesn't matter where they've been, or even if you've heard of them or not. State Of Being are here NOW with their new EP, STATIC IN MY BRAIN, and with their creative twist to the typical electronic music that's out there, they're going places few bands will be able to follow.
The lineup for the band includes Christopher Foldi (vocals/guitars/programming), Scott Foldi (guitars/backing vocals), Shara Von Foldi (keys/backing vocals), and Johanna Von Foldi (drums). I think I should mention though that Scott's guitar was in the band long before he was. Anyway, STATIC IN MY BRAIN consists of seven tracks and clocks in at just over 28 minutes, a little bit short for my liking, but hey, I'll get over it.
STATIC begins with the song "X Approaching -1 (Negative One)," an intense, electronically driven song full of emotion and energy. The next track, "Vision," is acually a song from DYSFUNCTIONAL VISION which has been remixed especially for this EP. If you liked this song before, wait until you hear it now! With the addition of some backing guitars, more electronics, and all around better production, "Vision" is definately a hit in the making.
"Opportunity," which was mixed by Jon Denney (Nice Sounds), is an all-guns-blazing assault of auditory intensity. "In Control" is an upbeat track, which seems to be heavily influenced (musically) by a mix of electronics and guitars that is very reminiscent of the '80s electronic scene. "Static" is the closest thing to ambient music on the whole disc. Dare I say trance with no beat? But wait, a love song? (sorry Chris)
Chris wrote "Rain (live demo)" for his wife Shara. I know you may cringe with notion of an electronic band doing a ballad, but several famous bands have pulled it off with stunning emotional success. Listen to Nine Inch Nails' "Something I Could Never Have." "Rain" is a superb display of the talents of songwriting and performance that are displayed by the music of State Of Being.
The CD winds down to a close with the track "No Control." The music is mysterious, the vocals entrancing. This is definately another classic State Of Being masterpiece. This is a fairly limited release, so if you want it, hunt it down quickly. STATIC IN MY BRAIN will be available at State Of Being's CD release party September 12th, and via their website -- www.stateofbeing.com. If you didn't see them at their July 24th show at the Phantasy, definately go to their CD release party. You wont regret it.
Kayn
Reviews March 2k
|
"Static in My Brain"
Reverse Image Rating: 8.0 by Alonzo M. Moseley Publishing Date: 05 March 2K |
Chaotic Critiques #12 (July 22, 2000)
subscribe to the e-version of Chaotic Critiques
STATE OF BEING - Static In My Brain EP (P.O. Box 770413, Cleveland, OH 44107)
Following up the band's full-length album, this EP is seven songs of electro-industrial angst. Crisp and fluid one moment, jarring and static-laden the next, SoB constructs a chameleonic textural dynamic that merges organic and synthetic elements. The two most striking features of the band are Chris' arsenal of dark whispers, throaty gothic sneers, and brazen shouts, and Shara's keyboard presence, which assumes an active role in the creation of rhythm, melody, and atmosphere. The use of a human guitarist and drummer allows SoB to attain a heavier, more organic flavor than many of the band's peers, thus imbuing it with a raw edge that will tick off keyboard-hugging electro purists. Despite the good songwriting and unique approach, I cannot help but think that the production, though clear and listenable, lacks the power necessary to realize the full range of SoB's style, and is a central factor in the band's inability to completely and convincingly integrate organic and synthetic elements into a cohesive unit.
Reviewer: A music fan from Dublin - March 23, 2000 (appeared on Amazon.com)
With some of the most haunting vocals I have heard in music, State of Being can take you to so many levels. From hard industrial style songs to mysteriously almost-gothic harmonic ballads, it can appeal to a variety of listeners. It is well worth a listen! I have thoroughly enjoyed this CD!
Reviews - March 2000
STATEOFBEING
Static In My Brain
(Reverse Image)
Stateofbeing are something of an endangered species these days - the industrial rock outfit. With the breakthrough success of bands like Gravity Kills and Stabbing Westward a few years back, you would think there would be a flood of bands meshing guitars with electronics, but the scene has all but died of late. This should no doubt work to Stateofbeing's advantage, but they have a pretty unique sound anyway and wouldn't have much trouble standing out in a crowded scene.
This quartet hails from Cleveland and has played with everyone from Chemlab to The Church, though their sound will no doubt appeal more to fans of the former. Rock song structures built by machines and overlaid with plenty of buzzsaw guitar riffing make up the bulk of the tunes on Static In My Brain, but it falls closer to bands like Diatribe and old SMG than the Ministry-types. The main reason is the clean, melodic vocals of Christopher Földi, but there are also some almost synth-pop sounding keyboard lines to be had, too.
Of the seven tracks on offer, I found the more pop-oriented ones to be the best. "X Approaching -1" and "In Control" in particular have a great deal of character. The latter track has some definite dancefloor potential, too. In addition to the seven audio tracks, the CD features a number of CD+ files, including 4 songs in MP3 format. These four songs date back quite a bit, from 1990 to 1995, and serve mainly to show how much the band has improved over the years. Having said that, though, I did quite enjoy the very Front 242-ish "Spit."
info: http://www.stateofbeing.com
[Daniel Hinds]