musomuso.com

View Original

THE PRODIGY - THE DAY IS MY ENEMY - ALBUM REVIEW

 

The Day Is My Enemy - The title track starts off the album with a militant audio assault. Bringing themes from the previous album 'Invaders Must Die' and giving them a much more aggressive style, with lyrics reminiscent of 'Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned'. A suitable opener.

Nasty - You've probably heard this track by now due to the large amount of radio play it's had. Spooky Halloween samples, mixed with heavy breakbeats, and some punky lyrics from Keith. Drops into what can only be explained as the soundtrack to a creepy circus attraction, before finishing off with more well produced breakbeats. It does come across as one of the weaker songs on the album to people who prefer their earlier sound, but is a track you'll be hearing out and about for years and years.

Rebel Radio - Borrowing ideas from their earlier work on 'Music For The Gilted Generation', mainly the track 'Poison', but combining it with modern synths and heavily processed vocals.

Ibiza - A direct attack on the dance music scene in Ibiza, mainly dj's who turn up at a gig, plug in a usb stick, and wave their arms about to a pre mixed set. The Sleaford Mods provide vocals on this track. This is one of the weaker tracks on the album in my opinion. It's just not something I can hear them playing live in one of their sets.

Destroy - This has to be the stand out track on the album for me. Oldschool stabs descend into what can only be described as the soundtrack to judgement day. Vary much a throwback to the earlier albums, and borrowing some samples from their previous works, but using them in a new fresh way. If the robots were to ever take over the earth, this is what they would be blaring full blast at the human race.

Wild Frontier - Another track that has had heavy radio play, and is well deserved. Old atari video games, meet the savage wild. Very much speaks to me as a track aimed at reminding people that one day, all the hunted animals in the world may one day get their own back on humanity. The version on the album is different to the radio edit, in that some of it's build ups are extended, and throws in some angry animal samples to great effect.

Rok-Weiler - A track I wasnt expecting, but a great one all the same. A rock heavy influenced blend of shuffle breakbeats and vocals from Keith. This is another standout track from me, and one I'd love to hear live.

Beyond The Death Ray - An atmospheric track, a breather if you like. Imagine 'The Weather Experience' from 'The Prodigy Experience' but on a planetary scale.

Rhythm Bomb - I must admit, seeing that dubstep wobbler Flux Pavilion had contributed to this track didn't exactly fill me with confidence, but was pleasantly surprised. Oldschool vocals mixed with heavy kicks and snares and in your face synth basslines. It is heavily influenced by the current Dubstep / Electro sound as would be expected with the collaboration, but doesn't sound out of place.

Roadblox - You can imagine playing this track, driving way above the speed limit, and crashing through police roadblocks. An electronic assault on authority, with some clever samples that reminded me of the soundtrack to the anime film Akira with vocals provided by Maxim.

Get Your Fight On - The prequel to 'Take Me To The Hospital' from 'Invaders Must Die'. Lyrics encouraging you to 'Get Your Fight On', a workout track, a track to get you pumped, before the battle where the only possible outcome is that one of you is being taken to the hospital.

Medicine - A track reminiscent of the early 'Chemical Brothers' sound, with some interesting eastern samples. Not one of the highlights for me, but a track that doesn't sound out of place on the album, and generally fits in with it's theme, providing some nice soundscapes during the drop.

Invisible Sun - This sounds like a track that belongs on a gothic horror movie soundtrack. It's more of a rock heavy interlude than a full fledged track in it's own right.

Wall Of Death - Which then leads on to the final track, an unexpected masterpiece in my opinion. Very reminiscent to Alec Empire, and Atari Teenage Riots sound on '60 Second Wipeout'. This is probably my favourite track off the album. It's different to the usual Prodigy sound, but it ultimately pays off. Cannot wait to hear this live.

All in all this album is one that borrows heavily from their previous works, but in a way that will get old and new fans clawing for their unique blend of breakbeats and punk. This is truly a return to form from Liam and co. I would personally consider this their best album since 'Fat Of The Land'. If you are a prodigy fan, this is a must buy. If you are an oldschool prodigy fan that disliked their approach on their previous two outings you should give this album a chance.

 

Review by D Mcauliffe

 

See this Amazon product in the original post