The post-punk outfit Fotocrime have returned with a new, darker sound on their latest album Security. Frontman Ryan Patterson is no stranger to the gauntlet, playing and producing with other bands such as Coliseum, Cat Magic Punks, Black Cross and Shirt Killer. For Fotocrime’s fifth album, the band have taken a more aggressive approach than their previous work.
‘Crimewave’ is the first track on the album, and already a Killing Joke influence can be heard, the riff from Benjamin Clark and bass from David Cundiff, it’s heavy and it’s rapid. Even Patterson’s vocal is gritty and strong. A decent opening track, albeit a bit repetitive. The second track, ‘Plowjob’ starts with what sounds like a Moog riffing along with a heavy beat, before Clark’s riff cuts right through the middle. It’s heavy and it’s loud, as anything punk should be. Although sometimes the vocal isn’t clear due to the rest of the band being turned up. But the track overall has a cool, dark sound. ‘Shockwave’ starts off with some synth and an attacking riff from Clark; it almost sounds like Judas Priest. The riff is sharp, the beat compliments it well, and even the synth in the background elevates the track. a little bit of a headbanger.
‘Unthinkable’ really goes for the heavy feel, the riff at the start feels like the listener is being pursued by some viscous creature. The whole album so far has been a good mix of late 80s post-punk and even some hair metal in there, it’s a good sound, loud and cool. ‘Disharmonizer’ has a very retro intro, the synth sounding like a start up menu for an old arcade game. The vocals are droopy and sounds almost evil, the repeating riff through the chorus is neat as well. The repeating of the line “The loneliness follows you” while the riff sounds like you’re running through a haunted mansion makes for a good listen. ‘Intimidation’ has a cool intro, the quick riff and the thumping beat, it screams Killing Joke. it is somehow catchy while sounding like the theme tune for a murderer in a film, interesting how music can do that.
‘Dreamstate’ is more positive, everything is more upbeat, it almost sounds like an early Foo Fighters track. the riff is great from Clark. One thing I have noticed so far is the choruses in the tracks are repeated quite a lot, the band don’t have a lot in the way of different lyrics. But they make up for that in the overall sound of the tracks, as short as they may be. ‘Cautious’ takes us back to the downbeat, the guitar sounding like it’s on its way to punch you in the face. I think this might be the least interesting track on the album, the beat isn’t too exciting, it is very repetitive and it doesn’t really go anywhere. ‘Grifter’ starts with the arcade sounding synth, before the guitar and drums come in to lift the track up. In the middle of the song there is a cool synth solo, paired with some ambient noise before returning to the heavy riff and some backing vocals are introduced. Definitely an improvement on the track before. The title track is the one to end the album, ‘Security’ starts with another sinister synth riff and the storyteller vocals. You can feel a buildup in the track; it’s leading to something big with it’s slow synth riff and the beat is steady. Then it comes. The guitar cuts in, the drums start picking up, it’s like something out of a superhero film, the final act.
Security is a showcase of how bands can make up for a small amount of lyrics and storytelling with good soundscapes and leaning heavily into the genre of choice. The post-punk influences are evidently there, especially Killing Joke. Fotocrime do a good job of creating these dark and loud atmospheres in their songs, and their fifth studio album is even more aggressive with that as well. If you like post-punk and gothic sounds, Security is worth a listen.
Fotocrime: Security – Out 13 March 2026 (Auxiliary / Shirt Killer – Vinyl and Artoffact – CD / digital)
Plowjob (Official Music Video) #ARTOFFACT #postpunk #industrialpunk #darkwave
