This article was automatically translated by AI.
In 2009, the band released a download album, played some festival tours and concerts, and then retreated a bit again.
Whether it was Donald Trump who revived the band or the desire of the band members to be back on stage is not documented, but Donald Trump is likely not entirely innocent in this matter.
TSOL has played hardcore punk, art punk, wave punk, and horror punk.
With this album, a new style is added. What that is will be revealed later.
There are thirteen songs on “The Trigger Complex.“
The songs showcase the band's range, the band's age, and their musical skill. These three fixed points offer a wide spectrum. It is precisely within this broad spectrum that the album resides.
The first two songs, “Give me more“ and “Sometimes,“ can largely be classified as punk rock. As rockier, guitar-heavy, and melodic punk rock.
The third song, “Strange World,“ then leans more towards wave punk.
“Satellites,“ as the fourth song, takes it a step further, moving almost into the realm of atmospheric rock, but with a distinct punk influence. Distantly, the thought of NDW also emerges in some melodic fragments.
The next songs then move into the realm of rock-oriented new wave/punk. The cool sound collages typical of new wave come through the keyboard. These are paired with mid-tempo rock and melodies that are strongly carried by the vocals. Here, I am almost reminded of the dark new wave/dark rock times of yesteryear.
This is no longer punk rock, but beautiful, melodic rock music.
In the next three songs, the band moves towards English '77 punk/glam punk.
Only with song number 11, “You’re still the same,“ does punk rock get to show its face again. Wave influences can also be heard here, but the driving drums and the engaging tempo are much more rooted in punk rock than in the last songs of the album.
The last two songs of the album feature a piano intro, slow, almost dark song structures. The gently fading song “Bats“ is the farewell to an album that is quite enjoyable when listened to, especially if one sets aside the band's punk past a bit.
In other words, those who do not demand punk will find pleasure in the album.
And what style that is... you can think for yourselves!
