Richard Kruspe of Rammstein formed this band as a side project a few years ago. This new album shows (as can be expected) links to that group's sound. It's a smoking modern metal meets techno CD. While there are tendencies toward sameyness here, for the most part Kruspe and company avoid that by changing things up. While this isn't the most original musical concept I've heard, it's done quite well and they introduce enough originality to keep it from seeming trite at all. This should please fans of Rammstein, but it should also appeal to anyone who likes modern metal with healthy doses of techno.

The only real issue comes with that slightly monolithic nature. I don't think I'd recommend this as an intent listening experience. It would start to grate on you a bit. As something that you put on to get you pumped up while you go about your day - it's perfect. Don't get me wrong, there are some forays into more unfamiliar territory, but the overall effect has a bit too much similarity from any one point on the disc to another. I'd have to say that this group might be a bit more accessible than Rammstein, though.

That could make it a gateway drug to that band. Of course, considering some of the bad press that Rammstein has gotten over the years (a load of bullshit blaming school violence on them in my book - but that's a whole other story that we really don't have the time for here) maybe that's a drug some don't want exposure to. The truth is, Rammstein kicks butt and so does Emigrate. Emigrate just seems a little easier for the more casual listener to grasp onto.