2022 will mark a decade since Carpenter Brut began his venture into the world of synthwave and electronic music. The EPs released between 2012 and 2015 culminating in arguably one of synthwave’s greatest records, Trilogy, sleek and sexy tracks “Le Perv” and “Obituary” sat alongside grand tunes like “Wake Up The President” and “Roller Mobster“. Its successor, Leather Teeth, had the almost impossible task for following up such a stellar record. Leaning into 80’s power metal and glam rock with a compact tracklist, it was an effort that struggled to meet the bar set by Trilogy. Which now arrives Carpenter Brut at Leather Terror, the French artist’s third full-length record.
It quickly becomes evident that Brut is back at his best with this record, the opening stretch of Leather Terror brings in some excellent grooves in the synths matched with some hammering beats. There’s an attitude to “Straight Outta Hell” that feels like Brut wanting to show off what this record is going to be about with its sheer aggression and fury. It also quickly eliminates any doubt from the mind that this album might be another misstep. This is then further matched in moments on “Night Crawler” which oozes 80’s serial killer vibes, with the tempo on the beat and racing synths almost impossible not to jam along to.
Each feature feels utilised within the tracklist, with early track “The Widow Maker” featuring synthwave staple GUNSHIP setting the bar. His powerful vocals adding an extra punch to a track that has some excellent beats that hit the ear wonderfully. While its follow up “Imaginary Fire” featuring Greg Puciato doesn’t hit the spot as much, the trio of opening features including Ulver give Leather Terror some breathing space after its hot off the blocks start. “Lipstick Masquerade” featuring Persha brings the album back to something more akin to Leather Teeth, with a deep and groovy 80’s-style rhythm. Which enters Leather Terror into “Stabat Mater” featuring Sylvaine, slowing the record down and acting as the first of a trio of tracks that act as the record’s grand finale.
Carpenter Brut pulls out some fine key work on the synths on the bridging track “Paradisi Gloria“, with choir vocals soaring behind giving the track its grandiose. It’s where Leather Teeth really hits its stride of a cinematic that so many of its fellow records in the genre strive for. It brings the record to its final feature, the title track and closer, featuring Johannes “Jonka” Andersson. Blast beats slam against the ear with black metal vocals filling the track. It has that boss fight feel to it and offers a pay off from the tension and mood that has been built in the previous two tracks. It’s a bold move to pull off a sequence of tracks and to make it work is commendable.
Carpenter Brut is back for blood with Leather Terror, in both the narrative and musical sense. The four years spent since the previous record have clearly been spent exploring new sounds while also building upon his finest qualities. There’s a structure to the record that makes a full listen worthwhile, along with an eclectic array of features that more often than not add something to the record and give it its breadth. In the moments that Brut narrows the record down and returns to what he does best, in creating pacing and riveting tracks, that is when Leather Terror hits its best moments.
8.5/10
Leather Terror is out April 1st via Universal Music, and can be pre-ordered here.