Vernian Process has been a project in the works for some time, and I think the release of "Behold the Machine" shows them still "in the works".
Much of the music here relies on the band member's roots in industrial and electronic music. But you can also see the direction they seem to be headed, into a more cinematic and orchestrated pop/rock incarnation.
At least that's when the band seems to shine most: when they accent the rock stylings with atmospheric flourishes and cinematic organ sounds. It's also when they sound less dated.
Perhaps I've spent too much time in goth/dustrial dance clubs but the straight up industrial rock elements on "Behold the Machine" don't grab me the way the more subtle orchestrated electronic elements do.
They do have one strength in being an electronically based band: nothing is off the table. If the band wants to include more theatrical or surreal-world elements to their music those sounds are only as far away as their keyboards and their imagination.
The one clear challenge the band faces is that vocalist Joshua Pfeiffer can't do everything he wants to with his instrument yet. The voice is an instrument that a singer can train and master and given training, dedication and experience Pfeiffer should be able to achieve the lofty goals he's set for himself.
My favorite tracks on this CD include: "Behold the Machine", "The Last Express", "The Maiden Voyage", "Into the Depths" and their electro-swing take on "The Maple Leaf Rag".
