Album Review: In Retrospect

Originating from Auckland, Ctrl Freak is a self-produced project by musician Richie Bennett. In Retrospect is his first solo album and straight off the bat, it is nothing short of spectacular.

Contemporary metal laced with industrial electronica overtones featuring crunchy riffs and a hint of Breaking Bad that makes you lose your mind over how good this album is.

This is an album that is everything you need it to be and more. If you’re a fan of any of the aforementioned genres then you won’t be disappointed. Featuring guest vocals (and song credits) from three influential musicians in the music community such as Tim Gainsford (Love Of Chaos) Kurt Hughes and Shane Scarborough.

The ten track (including intro track, Beginning) is a definitive collection of heavy perfection that is superbly executed. Technically proficient delivering listeners an overall feeling of extreme satisfaction, excitement and the ultimate urge to listen again and again. I can’t get enough. Each track in itself is a journey of blood, sweat and possible tears of excellent craftsmanship, unity and delivery from start to end. Honestly, this is an album that I had difficulty in trying to choose some of my favourites, but some absolute stand out’s that need to be mentioned is track nine, Real Eyes, Breaking In (feat Shane Scarborough) and Spiritual Suicide. I implore you to go and hear this album for yourself. Hearing is believing and once again, I can’t get enough.