Surgyn is the lovechild of Ross Werk and Olliie Langmead. Ross aka Chief of Surgery Veil and Ollie aka Master Surgeon Sovereign gave birth to this little beauty in 2009. Lyrics are written by Sovereign and the music is written (& mixed and produced) by Veil. In May this year they self released 100 copies of their 10 track debut album “Vanity” Days later they were signed by Deathwatch Asia and this new version released in September. We are now treated to 2 extra new tracks “400” & “Sharp as Stars” along with 4 remixes, and 3 tracks form a previous teaser sampler that have been given makeovers to include vocals (The Stranger, Aesthetics & Faceless).

So Surgyn? Here’s what they say about themselves – “Surgyn is every song you’ve danced to before, cut apart and sewn back together wrong” “Thunderous dance floor beats, diverse duel vocals, hooks that will hang you by your very skin” In November they toured the UK supporting Aesthetic Perfection. Unfortunately I missed their set but did happen to get talking to Ross, so of course the first thing I did when I got home was check out their music. And BAM! – It’s true – I’m hooked! Their catchy choruses hit you like a slap round the face with a latex glove. Their songs bombard you with dancy beats and witty but meaningful lyrics. Veil and Sovereign share vocals except on “Sever” & “Sharp as Stars” (Veil) and “Faceless” & “Speak No More” (Sovereign) Veils vocal styles range from the almost spoken verses to showcasing his voice in the choruses (especially Sever) Songs featuring Sovereign have a completely different feel – they are more aggressive. “Faceless” has a real Combichrist style throbbing beat and growling vocals.

So “Vanity”? Well basically “it does what it says on the tin” There’s a bit of a clue in the name of the band and the name of the album. Their look and all of their songs revolve around the theme of beauty, where looking beautiful is all that matters at any cost. In the hands of any other band this could become an over the top gimmick, a joke. But Ross and Ollie have succeeded in making their songs humorous, even tongue in cheek, but in such a way to still be credible with a serious message. In keeping with the surgery/medical theme they have also used samples featuring the voice of the deranged doctor from “Bioshock”. The quotes in “Aesthetics” are perfect. To me “Code Black” even sounds a bit like a video game with its shooting bullets electro.


01. Beauty – this short instrumental intro leads us in with its throbbing, pulsing. It sounds like something being kept alive or created in a lab with its heart monitor – like the birth of a beautiful monster. Possibly less Frankenstein, more Frankenfurter!
02. Sever – Veils clear spoken vocals lead into the anthem like chorus which will stick in your head.
03. 400 –vocals are growled, menacing but then we have another incredibly dancy chorus.
04. The Stranger – featuring the devil himself – poppy electro synth, with spoken vocals in the verses but an intense pounding beat in between.
05. Code Black – this is the video game like one featuring the classic lines “trust us we’re surgeons” & “fake what you lack”
06. Aesthetics – a dance floor filler (or killer?) with the “Bioshock” doc and stuttering/fluttering synths which make me think of hearts or eyes.
07. Faceless – as I said this is the most Combichrist like – aggressive with a synth hook. For some reason brings to mind an industrial Dr. Frankenstein
08. Haemorrhage – fast, dancy & funny. You’ll find yourself singing along to “addiction, schism, affliction, incision”
09. Speak No More – Sovereign’s aggressive vocals once again, contrasted with haunting synths. Quiets and slows then speeds and rebuilds to another crescendo.
10. Hit the Nerve – back to Veil with a relentless barrage of fast vocals with another great chorus
11. Sharp as Stars – this is catchy as hell – I guarantee you will be singing the chorus.


Then we have the 4 remixes by Phosgore, Modulate, Soman & Caustic. These have been made heavier, clubbier. I especially like “Sever” which has managed to add in another 1.5 minutes of danciness, and “Aesthetic” which has had a bit of a “blow your whistle” remix. The album finishes with another instrumental outro “Agony” – faraway muffled voices, a disembodied scream. They could be the sounds being heard by someone in a coma or drowning (or a brain being kept alive in a jar?)

And that’s it – it’s over and if you’re anything like me you’ll be left wondering what the hell just happened, why haven’t you heard this music before, then listening to the whole thing all over again. I can honestly say I’ve listened to this CD everyday and also bought their “Sharp as Stars” EP which features an Aesthetic Perfection remix amongst others, and another song “Pressure”. Even the album cover has been given a makeover. The original featured the simplicity of the shattered word Vanity. This version is adorned with artwork featuring everything Surgyn in perfect symmetry - Veil’s arm, a mirror, scalpels, and the shattered medical cross. The attention to detail goes as far as the dripping blood of the barcode and the use of the Caduceus as the symbol of commercial profit from the sale of beauty. The album has evolved from something which was already beautiful in a simple way into a more complex, enhanced perfection.