Shinra Review
Buy Shinra
From my limited knowledge of Final Fantasy VII lore, I know that Shinra, Inc. are the bad guys. I also know that Chernabogue is a talented artist capable of creating complex, electronic soundscapes. Shinra is a testament both to the genius of Nobuo Uematsu for creating such compelling music and to the talents of Chernabogue for his work on this album. Let’s be clear, though—this is not a feel-good album.
At its best, Shinra creates an almost suffocating atmosphere of industrial electronic music. Booming drums, harsh synths, and ambient mechanical noises paint a dystopian world, full of oppression, fear, and pain. I applaud Chernabogue for his consistent vision throughout the album, and limiting the album to three tracks ensured a cohesive, finished product. That being said, the album does suffer from a pacing problem (all three tracks are a similar tempo) and a little more variety in the arrangements/instrumentation would have gone a long way, but the short runtime prevents the album from becoming monotonous. All in all, this album tells a engrossing story, and it’s one that I would be happy to hear again.
In a sea of Final Fantasy VII covers, Shinra stands like a monolith, inviting all to gaze upon its twisted, mechanical beauty.
RATING: RECOMMENDED
(Fans of Final Fantasy VII and/or Industrial Music Should Enjoy)