Internal Punishment Programs

After the extremely well received ‘Sick Transit Gloria Mundi’ disc of 2002, Norway’s industrial veterans Red Harvest return with another molten slab of cyber-induced mayhem. These guys have been at it for well over a decade and this new one, the aptly titled ‘Internal Punishment Programs’ is actually their 9th studio release (ep’s included). They are undoubtedly one of the leaders in the genre, but strangely enough, they don’t get the attention they deserve (quite why shite like Deathstars and Rammstein gets the nod over these guys is beyond me). I must admit that I never really got on board until 2001’s stunning ‘Cold Dark Matter’ disc, but nevertheless, there is a certain uniqueness about the whole Red Harvest vibe that is very hard to ignore, particularly when they are on song.

IPP is typical Red Harvest. Like most of their previous material, the band has made sure to maintain a less than obvious musical pattern and structure throughout the entire album. You’re never quite sure what is going to be offered up next. And whilst IPP starts off innocently enough with two out and out Industrial/black thrash belters, you can be sure that the quirky industrial soundscapes and slower doom material will provide ample variation. I hasten to add that there seems to be a more song oriented vibe about IPP though.

There are a few things that stand out about the Red Harvest sound in 2004. Firstly, it is clear that they have slowed down somewhat - the thrash/speed element appears to be tempered to enable a darker groove to seep through their compositions. Secondly, the causal effect of the tempered speed makes Red Harvest not the psychotic, hyperactive electronic beast they once were. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. Red Harvest have has to transform their sound to remain viable and IPP is clearly a step towards a more balanced sound. Which brings me to the other notable change in Red Harvest – the production. IPP has been mixed under the guidance of Fredrik Nordstrom and Studio Fredman. Now, Red Harvest haven’t gone all commercial on us folks, it’s just that Nordstrom has allowed a cleaner line to shine through the bands sound. It appears less cluttered and nowhere near as claustrophobic as earlier material. The die hards might frown at this move, but for me, it works fine. This is still harsher and more caustic than most other bands trying to pull off this kind of music.

Some might complain that there are too many electronic meanderings laid down on IPP, but really it’s nothing new for the band. They’ve always included bizarre soundscapes to fuck with your head. For me, they’re all incidental elements. If you’re impatient, you’ll skip them anyway. I think Red Harvest have put together an excellent sounding album in IPP. It may not be as nasty or head-cavingly psychotic as ‘STGM…’, but if you expected RH to just up and throw out STGM Part 2, then you probably don’t really know this band too well. Red Harvest - Still highly underrated!

Those of you reading this who are thinking this might be as awesome or as much of a brain-melting bleak trip into narcosis as it's predecessor, Sick Transit Gloria Mundi, might well be disappointed with this album.

This is much more of a return to the band's pre-"concept" album (if their previous two albums can strictly be called that) days, possibly even pre-dating the distinct sound of 'There's Beauty In The Purity Of Sadness'.
One thing is for sure, this is definately different to the rest of the new albums that have come out so far this year.

It's a bit hard describing what the general overall feel of the album is, mainly because Red Harvest have a reputation for liking nothing more than fucking with the listeners head by not making it at all obvious where the next song is going to go... is it another fast one, is it a slow one, or a bit of both?

Quite frankly, the first two tracks (discounting the intro) are two of the finest songs that I've heard and easily hold up to Red Harvest's already soaring impeccable standards....

Then it gets a bit odd. Track 4, 'Abstract Morality Junction', reminds me personally of somewhat of a metalised Duran Duran-style synth-pop song, whereas the very next track 'Mekanizm' very much harks back to the bands thrashier roots and influences (a lot of the current lineup of the band knew each other around the Oslo scene by way of a Slayer tribute band some of them were playing in).

'Internal Punishment Programs' is definately not quite as caustic & in your face as 'Cold Dark Matter', nor is it anywhere near as hallucinogenic psychotrope-inducing comas as 'Sick Transit Gloria Mundi'....

It's a good album, but not quite as amazing or mind-blowing as most of the other Red Harvest albums have been more or less instantly upong hearing them.