REVIEW(s): Cold Cave - The Trees Grew Emotions And Died / Cold Cave - Painted Nails 7"

7 out of 10

Find it here.

7.25 out of 10
Find it here.

It may take a bit of hardcore netn' to track down any of the Cold Cave releases. Probably due to the fact that they were made in such limited quantities (including a split they did with Crocodiles). But keep looking, do not give up, I assure you it's worth the struggle. Cold Cave are a three piece band based out of Philadelphia who are thoroughly obsessed with bringing back old school danceable Industrial music, no, NOT EBM. Think Ministry's "12 Inch Singles" with elements of Bauhaus, A Place To Bury Strangers, and Salem.

In my opinion it's always good to do a throwback to one of the golden eras of a genres lifespan. You could tell me that these were originally released in 1985 and I would believe you. Cold Cave utilizes a drum machine, guitar, retro synthesizers, Goth-y vocals by Wesley Eisold, and the production quality of a four track recorder. I hope Cold Cave will start a large trend of "Lo-Fi Industrial" bands, ..that'd be neat. They may be an acquired taste (mostly due to the production), but for those of us into underground dance/experimental music this is right up our alley. Hopefully a full length album is in the works, because these releases are an excellent sampler of what's sure to come from this band.

It's reassurances like this that let me know Industrial music isn't dead after all..

Standout Tracks: Our Tears Help The Flowers Grow

Standout Tracks: Sex Ads, Always Someone