Loads of artists sample orchestras and try to create hybrids, but In Silico is unique in the fact that it’s not just obviously sampling and blatantly genre crossing. I don’t think In Silico’s angle was to impress anyone in particular but to put across a new idea, which I think is quite a perfect way to write, then if others receive it well then viola, you’ve succeeded in not having to leech onto others originality in order to sell yourself.

In Silico isn’t going to show hundreds of varying electronic beats like in Hold Your Colour simply because In Silico was written with live band performance in mind whereas Hold Your Colour allowed itself to be more expressive and creative seeing as there wasn’t a “we need to keep this part simple otherwise we wont be able to replicate it live” restriction on the writing, so I see where you’re coming from and I agree to that extent.

I like both their albums for different reasons, but again I see your point as where Hold Your Colour delivers ground breaking melodic drum and bass and shows a really rich understanding of new and old sounds, In Silico delivers a very tame and somewhat sourly unique spin off the genre. I still stick to my opinion that it’s an extremely electric album, one that I know I’ll listen back to in 10 years with a smile on my face.

I think the Hold Your Colour and In Silico back and forth argument between D’n'B fans and others alike has been going on for too long. I’ll be really interested to see which direction their next album takes. Thanks for replying to my comment btw!

My main gripe was not that I believe Pendulum should not have strayed from the genre, it’s that I believe they did a piss-poor job at it. As I had stated in the first paragraph, the sound they went for, I believe, would not be to the taste of either genre’s fanbase. They were also quite repetitive throughout the album.

I have heard excellent genre-fusing music before, Hybrid’s ‘I Choose Noise’ album being an example off the top of my head, they fused progressive house with orchestral backings that sound fantastic – each song presenting a different mood and rhythm. Pendulum, however, didn’t variate enough with each song, using the same drum loop, same instruments in nearly every song and, to me, they all sounded the same (the one’s that strayed from the same sound were 9,000 Miles and, to a lesser extent, The Tempest). They did it in Hold your Colour, but didn’t do it here.

I can understand that Pendulum wanted to break new ground, and I do believe the music industry needs a shake-up in terms of originality, but I also believe Pendulum still could’ve brought new sound to the drum-and-bass arena. There’s plenty of artists presenting new material which sound fresh such as Sub-Focus or Evol Intent. But, this review was only my opinion after listening to the album back-and-forth countless times. And I do believe sales of the album have been quite high so there’s quite a few people who don’t believe me. But I stick by my opinion.

Also, when you rate a review, you oughta rate on how well the author got their point across and also stuck to their opinion, even if it doesn’t align with your own opinion. Even then, I’d probably admit it’s not the most well-written review, but hey, I don’t do this as a job

It’s about the direction of the artist and what they want to do. In Silico has been one of the most important releases of the past decade as it has begun the cross genre and collaboration of two previously contrasting genres.

They wanted to be a band, a live band, note; one of the first bands to produce popular electronic drum and bass / rock live and successfully. I’ve been to see them dozens of times and instead of being one of those pretentious morons that say Pendulum have sold out, I actually embrace the fact that they do 14+ shows and that there are pre-rave teens enjoying this music that’s evolved from a previously underground genre into mainstream conciousness.

They are who they are, drum and bass fans will always have their drum and bass, and rock fans will always have their rock, but nothing will progress unless something comes along that breaks out of this horrific band cycle of ticking boxes to please certain crowds and flat out copying. So at least give respect to a band like Pendulum, whether you think they’ve let you down or not because personally, even though I absolutely love Hold Your Colour, If I wanted to hear a repeated of that album I’d simply listen to it again. Get out of your comfort zone and listen to In Silico for what it really is, an epic depiction of modern production, written extremely soulfully.

8/10