Formed in 2002 by Rob Swire (vocals, synth), Gareth McGrillen (bass guitar) DJ Perry ap Gwynedd (guitar), Paul ‘El Homet’ Harding (DJ), Kodish (drums) and Ben Verse (MC), Pendulum have been making waves in both the hard rock and dance communities.
Toying with Drum-n-Bass, rock and techno sounds and experimentations for as far back as the beginning of the decade, Pendulum tasted their first bit of success after remixing The Prodigy track “Voodoo People”.
After a well-received debut album, Hold Your Colour, in the UK and their native Australia, Pendulum release In Silico, their first full length album to see the light in the United States.
Pendulum's Techno/ Rock Music
Few bands have successfully mashed up techno with rock but Pendulum’s mix of massive beats, chunky guitar riffs and an undeniable knack for pop hooks makes In Silico one of the most interesting albums to emerge in 2008.
Their innovative approach to music has earned the band comparisons to Tool as well as Led Zeppelin and has channelled into top 40 successes with two singles “Granite” and “Propane Nightmares” as well as a spot in a Verizon Wireless TV ad with the song “Mutiny”.
Propane Nightmares
As techno/rock fusion albums go, In Silico has many star qualities, it’s edgy, loud, highly danceable and buckets of fun, however, skip the first track, “Showdown” as it sounds like a disaster band from a movie set.
The album truly gets started with the chainsaw thrash of second track, the aptly titled “Different”. Here the beats become clever and the album settles in for what quickly becomes a predictable, but enjoyable pattern for each of the 10 tracks on the album.
“Propane Nightmares” a huge UK hit from this summer finds the band at their finest. Starting with horns straight from a Mexican beach front mariachi band, Pendulum prove that they can create innovative pop while clinging to their techno roots.
Breaking the UK top ten, “Propane Nightmares” was ranked among Radio 1’s most played songs of 2008.
The Other Side of Pendulum In Silico
Other album highlights include the rave screamer “Midnight Runner” the vocoder-goes-mad anthem of “The Other Side” and the mostly instrumental “9,000 Miles”.
Pendulum have created one of those rare albums that sounds equally in place pumping from loudspeakers at the local rave or filling arenas with its bullish beats and high energy hooks.
In Silico is available online and at old school music stores.
 |
