Youth Code are an important band. In a time of stale punk rock and countless 90s revivalists, its about time someone came along and shook things up a bit. Coming from hardcore and punk stock, the L.A. duo of Sara Taylor and Ryan George are one of very few bands that sound original in today’s climate. Of course, EBM and industrial are nothing new, but it’s been so long since a band has come out with as much fire as Youth Code have on their second album, ‘Commitment To Complications’. Having played shows with a diverse range of artists, including The Body, AFI, and Nothing, right through to their heroes Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly, they are ushering in a new wave of EBM.
The most instantly noticeable difference between ‘Commitment To Complications’ and their previous work is the production. From the cut-and paste-urgency of their 2013 debut, to the more rounded attack of their stunning 2014 release, ‘A Place To Stand’, Youth Code have gone from strength to strength. With the help of Front Line Assembly’s Rhys Fulber, their sophomore LP raises the bar even higher. Whether it’s the slow burn of instrumental opener ‘(Armed)’, or the visceral aural onslaught of ‘Transitions’, everything subtle nuance has been tweaked to perfection.
Despite the improved clarity of the uplifting synths, and every pulsating kick drum sounding more meticulous, don’t think that Youth Code have gone soft. If anything, the increase in production value has only made them sound twice as ferocious. Taylor’s gravel-laced screams are more intense, filled with anger and frustration. The way in which she spits venom during ‘Dust of Fallen Rome’ borders on terrifying, and her nihilistic narrative brought to the forefront on the blackened synthwave of ‘Doghead’.
‘Commitment To Complications’ still shows Youth Code’s love for classic Wax Trax! Records releases, and the homage to Front 242 and VNV Nation is as prominent as ever. However the lessons Youth Code learnt in hardcore, punk, and metal are clearly just as important.
The occasional synthetic blast beat is buried in amongst ambiguous samples and harsh electronics, and even the album’s potent title track – which features an appearance from Goatwhore vocalist Ben Falgoust – bears a similar structure to a hardcore anthem. Elsewhere, ‘Glass Spitter’ is probably Youth Code at their most menacing, and compliments the dirty dancefloor slam of ‘Shift of Dismay’ perfectly.
While Nine Inch Nails or Atari Teenage Riot were imagining the future of punk some 20 years ago, it feels like Youth Code are the realisation of the vision they saw in the crystal ball. ‘Commitment To Complications’ transcends the often strict confines of the industrial world, and is further proof that Youth Code are redefining EBM for a new generation.
GLEN BUSHELL