The cyborg insurrection is upon us. What began in alleys and apartment shows of Nuke York, now has its eyes set on a worldwide level, and the destruction will be total. I am, of course, talking about synthetic deathpunx L.O.T.I.O.N. MULTINATIONAL CORPORATION, who just made their SubPop debut with their skullsplitting single “Alphabrain” b/w “War Games.” From Toxic State to being labelmates with Nirvana…hell yeah. The tracks tear through your flesh and brain. They tear through your heart, and replace its [hopefully] healthy pulse with their own perpetually thudding turbine.
An accelerated and effected bassline opens “Alphabrain,” like the march of the army of the never-human. Drums, forceful and crazed and undying, seem machine-driven, but it’s the steadfast work of Ryan Naideau. Artificial melds with flesh, to where it’s indiscernible what sound is coming from what, all swarming below the menacing growl of vocalist Alexander Heir (deathtraitors, Military Scientist). An overlord of the onset of apocalyptic machination, Heir snarls orders for the collapse of humanity. “War Games” is perhaps a little more on the jubilant side, a victory parade after annihilation is complete. Honestly, I’m ready to call it a planet. Send the machines.