The limited edition version of this debut release from Robin Moulder (ex-Jack Off Jill) and TC (ex-Triggerpimp) comes in a lovingly prepared package. The DVD sized keepcase contains additional artwork on pages that have been burned along their edges. These sorts of details often point to misdirected artistic effort, with the musicians squandering time and budget on frosting rather than cake. In this case, however, it indicates the attention to detail that marks these fourteen tracks (five of them remixes) as something special.

Hovering somewhere between goth, industrial and metal, these songs work their dark grooves with menace and mindfulness. Eschewing the overblown drama that took Nine Inch Nails to commercial success, the duo takes a heads-down, focused approach to these grimly catchy tunes, infusing their music with a fierce determination. It's a welcome departure from the feigned detachment that condemns the majority of goth music. Furthermore, Moulder and TC aren't afraid of straying from the genre's conventions altogether. For example, "Hope Kills" combines chanting choruses, a throbbing rhythm and flanged guitars for a psychedelic take on industrial trademarks. "Miss Mina's Diary Interlude", meanwhile, is essentially a pop song with cotton-candy synth strings and acoustic guitar. These attributes give the disc a welcome dose of life, lifting it well above the mass of gothic/industrial bands.

This in no way means that TCR can't hold its own when sticking to the tried and true metal approach. Quite the contrary, in fact; "Depth Perception" uses TC's alluring vocals, a chunky guitar riff and synth squiggles to whip the crowd into a frenzy, creating one of the best goth tracks I've heard in a long time -- if you can envision the Grim Faeries' Ophelia singing on Skinny Puppy's "Blue Serge", you're halfway there. Other standout tracks include "Pricilla", which wraps sex around a big, fat metal riff, and "Lost Forever", which shivers between haunting piano and distortion accents. If this isn't enough to entice you, the disc also boasts guest appearances by SMP, Chris Vrenna (Tweaker), Metho.d (Godhead), Mark Damian (Cleanse) and other worthies.

Make no mistake: this is one of the best goth/industrial/whatever releases of the year. With its strong, infectiously catchy music and impassioned delivery, The Chrome Recordings is built to last.