Arockalypse
The Ark (2002)

Review by: Michael Walls
Date: 7/1/03

I don’t want to like this. I really don’t. I want to write it off as annoying racket or loud noise. But I can’t. I can’t because I’m a closet Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie fan. And like Manson and Zombie, after excessive listening, Arockalypse will permeate your brain, melt it into a pile of mush and remold it into a throbbing, pulsing mass of techno feedback.

Chris Bray is the “rock” behind Arockalypse. A one-man writing, singing, performing, and producing machine. Going by the official name of Arockalypse and the Amazing Trans-Metropolitans, The Ark is a slickly produced vision from the highly creative and deeply disturbed recesses of Bray’s mind. A futuristic look at the world, using theology and mythology, The Ark, with song titles like Necropolis, Robot Nation, Ezekiel 1:1 – is clearly above any kind of Glam or Goth rock definitions and could be better characterized as intelligent techno hardcore.

Now, I’m not a fan of body art and piercing, black clothing and heavy makeup – but considering I abandoned MTV and music videos in general, long ago – all the visual imagery that goes along with music genres means nothing to me. All I care about is the music.

And the music of Arockalypse is stand-alone. No need for actual visual distractions – the music provides mental visual distractions – sometimes disturbing, other times uplifting.

On the surface, Arockalypse does have that Marilyn Mason, hardcore feel to it – especially vocally. Bray has a wide range that goes from a deep growl to some tremulous high notes. But deeper, this music reminds me those club remixes from the Sisters of Mercy or Love & Rockets or the Psychedelic furs. Constant driving beats, subtle rhythms and sharp hooks are the reason you turn this “noise” up rather then off. There is also some elements that I would call “Beck-like” – some interesting song structuring, mixed with different styles and sampled sounds.

I really enjoyed this CD from Arockalypse – the guitar work is spectacular, the vocals are mesmerizing, but above all, the multi-layered production is flawless. Chris Bray is a talented artist, who as a child, probably never played well with others. But it’s obvious – he didn’t need to.