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THE REVIEW
Chapter four of Hocico's discography, Mexican duo composed of Erk “Aicrag” Garcia (lyrics, vocals) and “Racso Agroyam” aka Oscar Mayorga (synths and programming) “Wrack and Ruin” perhaps represents a turning point; once again, the sound is built around the basic Electronic Body Music model, and is enriched compared to their illustrious North American (Front Line Assembly) and European (Klinik, Project Pitchfork) references by influences ranging from the jungle inflections of the Prodigy to the hardcore-techno of Atari Teenage Riot.
The nihilistic electro-punk slope is represented through the typical alternation of lyrics in Spanish and English that find expression in desperate, furious, destructive songs (“Ecos” is one of the peaks), distorted voices immersed in the amalgam of a full-bodied sound, densely packed, even more dark and gloomy than the most “extremist” precursors. While the themes remain as always, the sound after perhaps insurmountable works like “Sangre Hirviente” is somehow more elaborate and less direct here: the electro-industrial power in episodes like “Tales From The Third World” and “Death As A Gift” can still be appreciated intact, and it feels like the duo still has a lot to say musically, but the longer-than-usual instrumental interludes (“Oración Nocturna," another peak of the work) and the industrial ambient effects à la Scorn (the opener “El infierno Que Viene," the break before the single “Born To Be Hated”) suggest the more ambitious goal of expanding the stylistic reference area; this seems to be confirmed by a careful listen, from the superior quality of a production that meets the goal of still pleasing Hocico’s longtime fans while bringing them into the broader “Electro” category, using the darkness of the Mesoamerican duo as an "alternative" vehicle for the presentation of the next big thing.
We are nevertheless far from both Rage Against The Machine (polemical declamatory force and noise-core virtuosity), and the desperately grand representation of the world à la Fear Factory: brutal no future without a light at the end of the tunnel, in a nutshell; Hocico, who live on the more unfortunate side of the border compared to the aforementioned two stratospheric examples, are the true “bad conscience” of the American Continent.
‘πνοςphere boy ®
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Summary by Bot
Hocico's fourth album Wrack And Ruin marks a significant evolution in their sound, blending classic EBM with jungle and hardcore techno influences. The Mexican duo delivers intense, dark, bilingual tracks filled with nihilistic energy and elaborate production. Notable for its ambitious stylistic expansion and atmospheric interludes, the album impresses longtime fans while reaching a broader electro audience. The review highlights the album’s depth and its role as a compelling voice from the American Continent’s darker side.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
01 El infierno que viene (01:32)
06 Love Posing as a Prostitute (05:24)
08 Oracion Nocturna (08:17)
09 Death as a Gift (05:45)
10 Padre no Nuestro (02:06)
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Hocico
Hocico is a Mexican electro‑industrial/EBM duo formed by Erk (stage name Erk Aicrag) and Racso (Racso Agroyam, aka Oscar Mayorga). Reviews highlight their aggressive, visceral sound and bilingual lyrics (Spanish and English).02 Reviews
