Here we go. EBM with bite. Old-school EBM produced in the modern day that remains closer to the vision of those who birthed the genre rather then DJs who just want to pack the dancefloor with little innovation in their mixing. And One are a band that show us how it’s done and that they don’t cave for peer pressure. Or at least don’t cave completely.

“Save The Hate” mixes some early Nitzer Ebb with cold 80’s style synthpop. “Shining Star” gets off on the right beat for marching but proceeds into Futurepop gear rather then something stronger. “Only Your Dreams” swoops low and plays it bleak and cold while “Dancing in the Factory” sounds like a dancier Depeche Mode cover, which is a shame because I expected something much more militant and aggressive then this light-hearted and non-committal tune. “Angel Eyes” has a dub touch and moves with all the urgency of a funeral march. “Seven” ups the aggro at the start but then peters out in favour of pedantic electro.

“The Aim Is In Your Head” actually rolls up it’s sleeves and decides to go for a proper industrial attitude, going for an abrasive outlook rather then looking out for getting play time in clubs. And not a moment too soon either. “Electrocution” takes the work of Front 242 to heart and seems so subdued you’d swear that it doesn’t need to try to sound good, it just does. “Sex Drive” keeps it up with more subtle, downplayed sounds with churning overtones of resentment. “Playing Dead” is despairing and hurt while at the same time ruminating over the disappointment that comes from other people in a way that brings it close to full blown goth territory were it not for its EBM roots. “No Song For You” slips by under the radar and can easily avoid detection. “And I Love” takes a turn for what seems to be sinister but isn’t, playing percussion on steel drums like an acoustic guitar. Because it’s unique, it’s a perfect tone to end the album.

With half the album being indifferent synthpop and the other half being dynamic EBM done properly, it’s a coin toss for a recommendation. But it’s good to see And One Sticking keeping to their reputation of putting out solid Industrial, even if it feels like they only do it by halves this time round.