AVIDIGI

Most would agree that the majority of renowned rock acts specialize in a certain sound/style, and choose to stick to it from the beginning to the end of their careers. And as far as industrial metal acts go, Rammstein are a solid example, as you know pretty much what's in store with each new release by the band. So when longtime Rammstein leader Richard Kruspe announced he was going to launch a solo project, Emigrate, you would think it was because he must have had a healthy amount of material that did not fit in the Rammstein mold that he wanted to get out. Upon listening to Emigrate's self-titled debut, this doesn't necessarily prove to the case, as it's an album that is not far removed at all from the group's signature sound. Case in point, the chug-chugging riff roller coaster "My World," as well as "Resolution." And as with most hard rockers, a melodic detour or two is crucial to the possibility of crossover success, and here, "Let Me Break" manages to walk the fine line between melody and metal. Emigrate probably won't pull in many non-Rammstein fans, but it will certainly satisfy the appetites of the group's legion of fans for the time being.