Boris & Uniform – Bright New Disease (Review)

Boris & Uniform, the former an experimental doom/drone/metal/rock act from Japan, and the latter an industrial rock/metal band from the US, have teamed up together on this collaborative album.

I like Boris, and I like Uniform, so listening to this release was a given. Bright New Disease combines the two act’s talents into new and twisted ways, resulting in an album that’s diverse, yet whole, with great character and a variety of hooks. Take Boris and Uniform and then add bits of bands such as Motörhead, Dead Cross, Dead Kennedys, Ministry, and Metallica, and you’ll have a rough starting point for Bright New Disease.

You can think of Bright New Disease as a hardcore punk album infused with a myriad of different influences. Everything from industrial, thrash, psychedelic rock, and darkwave get thrown into the pot, with only the skill of the band’s members to make sure it tastes good once mixed up and served. Designed to be played live, this is a blend of different styles and sounds delivered with a punk snarl, a gritty attitude, and creative intensity. Each track is its own master, yet has a shared sense of belonging with all of the others.

The first few songs are raw and intense. These tracks feel alive and unfettered; barely controlled at times. However, the directing minds behind this music know the value of restraint too, which ensures that the chaotic energy is channelled into worthwhile songs, rather than shapeless violence. The artists fuse their styles into more than just this though, ably crafting mood and atmosphere when needed to ensure that Bright New Disease is a well-rounded and quality controlled work. The middle of the album is a good example of this, with the sinister The Look Is a Flame and the malevolent mood piece The Sinners of Hell (Jigoku). After this we’re treated to two wonderfully evocative songs that make me think of pop songs gone wrong, but in the best of ways. Endless Death Agony follows, all teeth, riffs, and claws. It reminds me of early Pitchshifter more than anything else. The album closes with the longest cut Not Surprised, ending the 32-minute record with a textured slab of emotive sludge.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a collaboration between Boris and Uniform, but now that I’ve heard it the result seems strangely inevitable, yet also unexpected. I’m sure there’s something meaningful to unpack there from my addled brain, but regardless, I have thoroughly enjoyed this idiosyncratic and warped slab of atypical intensity.

Very highly recommended for anyone that wants substance and individuality in their music.