Talk Sick

Over a decade since their regrettable third album (Punk Statik Paranoia) risked destroying the band's legacy, Orgy return with the first of a planned two-EP set, Talk Sick (D1 Music). And what a time for them to return! In 1998, when they released their debut Candyass, they were the pretty, stylish beacon in a sea of brutish nu-metal grunts. While other contemporaries simply covered '80s new wave hits, Orgy were the only ones that actually looked the part, like Duran Duran meets Marilyn Manson. Their sophomore release, 2000's Vapor Transmission, retained their muscle but perfected their futuristic sci-fi aesthetic (updated here on the epic single "Wide Awake and Dead"). They could inspire rave-dancing and moshing, all while standing alongside heavier comrades like Korn. So in 2015, with EDM at its peak, an Orgy comeback is perfectly logical. On Talk Sick, the only remaining member of their original lineup, lead singer Jay Gordon, is hungry and focused, backed by a razor-sharp band (Carlton Bost, Nic Speck, Creighton Emrick, Bobby Amaro) that blasts out seven tracks of the danciest stuff they've made since their glory days. Fans of the lurching sludge on Candyass may be disappointed; Talk Sick propels Orgy onto the dancefloor along a wave of sharp riffs and pulsing beats. The psycho-EDM opener "Talk Sick" is a little bit J-pop/J-rock, which showcases their new futuristic sound (fans of Crossfaith take note). "Suck It," despite the crass lyrics, is techno-clash that sounds most like the old Orgy (and plenty like God Module). The biggest nods to EDM are the dancehall-horn blast sludge of "Come Back" and EP closer, "Monster in Me," a collaboration with EDM producer culineR. The lyrics don't add much to the effort; rather, they serve more to carry Jay Gordon's still-hypnotic robo-snarl and the new band's thrilling sound. With a refreshed drive and aggressive energy, Orgy need to prove they've still got it. With Talk Sick, they might be able to reclaim some of their former presence on the scene. It's good to have them back. ~ Neil Z. Yeung|