The Qemists - Spirit in the System

Spirit in the System  is the live D&B trio’s second album, following up from last years’ groundbreaking Join The Q. They’ve undeservedly played second fiddle to the similar sounds of Pendulum, but the fact is that their debut was a much better album than Pendulum’s sophomore effort.
 
The album begins with a violent unleashing of The Qemists’ rock routes. Take It Back sees the trio’s collaboration with electronic screamo band Enter Shikari, producing a clash of genres (D&B and electronic rock, basically) which The Qemists are known for. The heavy electro synths sit perfectly with the moshing metal guitars and drum and bass backdrop, with Enter Shikari bringing in their infamous futuristic electronics and rock vocals on top.
 
Hurt Less brings you in a little lighter than Take It Back, as the quiet drum and bass takes a step back behind Jenna G’s pop/rock vocals. But when the bass drops, it’s time to rave. Jungle elements take over the track, pumping through your body whilst Jenna’s vocals get cut up, sampled and tossed around. Renegade releases The Qemists’ versatility, using grimy rap vocals to introduce hip-hop elements in their production. The track retains the trio’s heavy rock drums and guitars, but edges them with fuzzing synths under Maxsta’s vocals. Yet another fusion of genres and yet more excellence from the Brighton trio.
 
Fading Halo creates yet more contrast within the album, with Chantal of Invasion’s powering soulful lyrics echoing throughout, and sometimes gurgling in places. MC ID’s influence over The Only Love Song leaves a Klaxons-esque intro, with a Hadouken!-esque rap on the chorus. It’s hard not to go through this review track-by-track, as the variety is extraordinary. Although each track shares a D&B or 2-step drum beat, they differ in the genres they blend with. Your Revolution closes the album with as much brute force and ecstatic volume as possible. Clashes of drums, reverberating synths and wobbling sub-bass leave you with nowhere to run.
 
Every song on this album exerts originality, versatility, and shows the brilliance of genre-fusions. I highly recommend this album to any Pendulum/Prodigy, rock-D&B fans, it’s pretty darn good.