review: Nuclear Winter -- melodic extremity/industrial/techno from Zimbabwe

Nuclear Winter

Greystone

MMD Records

21 May 2021

Not content with having covered the überpopular 1980s hit “Africa” by Toto and also Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York,” Nuclear Winter (Zimbabwe) is bold in its ongoing quest to reach the desired balance of extremity, pop music and industrial for a result centered on catchy tunes. On its third album, the solo project of guitarist/vocalist/programmer Gary Stautmeister the sound continues down the rabbit hole where melodic extremity and techno, growling, singing and some robotic/computerized vocals meet. Even though the description of it, such as the one above, might give the impression of an unsavory potpourri, and perhaps some type of experimental, novelty style of sound, this is a one-person contemporary interpretation of melodic extremity, to some extent still in 2021 identifiable as an aural descent of the styles that pair up growling/extremity with catchy melodies. The growling is there but so are the melodic vocals, as are both the chugging guitars and the hooks, and the programming/sampling to add a dimension of futuristic/computerized/robotized aspects, and happy, danceable techno beats and the sensation of industrial, or pop industrial, if you will. At this point in the trajectory of his project, Gary is really coming into his own as a musician, as a songwriter, and as the one in charge of the technicalities of recording the music. Gary has been working on all the aspects of his craft for ten years, probably longer, and he has come a long way towards making music that is fun to hear and also worthy of checking out. Fans of melodic extremity, come see what Gary has created after some ten years, two EPs, and the completion of the third album. Lastly, for the impatient audiences that want to know right away whether this is a ride that they want to take, this listener recommends going straight to song number seven, “Hidden Shrine,” as an illustration of Nuclear Winter in 2021.

Greystone by Nuclear Winter

[Curious to hear the covers mentioned in the review? Check them below.]

StormScapes EP by Nuclear Winter

https://www.facebook.com/NuclearWinterZim/