There has never been any doubt that Pendulum is not a band to play on a cozy evening by the fireplace, with a glass of wine and a book. They are, however, perfect for working out, partying, or reliving the days when you would jump all over your room without worrying about the neighbors. While they are labeled ‘electronic rock’, it became obvious when they released their second album In Silico that a more accurate description would be ‘electronic head-bang’. Their third EP Immersion does not deviate from this prerogative.
After a quick introduction, the listener is thrown on the dance floor with the fully instrumental "Salt in the Wounds," followed by a more mainstream "Watercolours". It was designed for radio play and it is a little too obvious about it, even injecting bits that remind of La Roux’s single "Bulletproof".
Back to business with "Set Me On Fire", with its heavy mechanical beats contrasting a very smooth vocal track. The fifth track "Crush" is the first track to have the same sound as their previous album. Only a few other tracks like "Under the Wave" and "The Fountain" (featuring Steven Wilson) mimic the same style as In Silico.
The rest of the album has a very distinctive sound. Surprisingly, it sounds like another big beat band: Prodigy. This influence is to be expected in "Immunize," as it features Liam Howlett, a.k.a. Master H, and it also spreads on tracks like "The Vulture" and the aforementioned "Salt in the Wounds". It incites the same energy that is found in Prodigy’s latest opus, Invaders Must Die.
The last of three collaborations found in Immersion gives birth to the heavy metal track "Self Vs Self featuring In Flame". And, after 14 tracks packed with energy, Pendulum lets the listener go with a ballad, "Encoder" and the soothing sound of waves crashing against the shore.
What is the strength of the Immersion, initially released last May in the U.K., is also its weakness. It did not sound as original as it could have. It is still a strong album, more diverse than their previous LP and Pendulum, on the last leg of their North America tour with Linkin Park, deserves more recognition in the U.S.
MP3 Stream: "Immunize"
