The membership of
Chemlab isn't terribly consistent, but the nucleus of the band consists of singer/lyricist Jared Louche and composer Dylan More.
Chemlab's sound is a sort of aggro-industrial stew that draws heavily on
Ministry and the late-'80s industrial scene (especially
Front 242 and
KMFDM) for its influences. Louche's singing style is, to put it kindly, declamatory -- there are melodies there, but not so's you'd notice them.
Suture is essentially a reissue of the obscure 10 Ton Pressure EP along with numerous rare remixes, including two especially fine ones by
KMFDM. The remixes offer the album's most interesting moments; while songs like "Blunt Force Trauma" and the
Tackhead-ish "Filament" are attention-getting enough on their own, the others tend to do better with the added sonic muscle that a like-minded producer can bring (as on the
KMFDM mixes) or that Louche and More themselves bring to their own work when working in remix mode. "Codeine, Glue and You" and the extended dance version of "Exile on Mainline" are both good examples. Highly recommended to fans of funky industrialism. ~ Rick Anderson