Review of remastered Circle of Dust album ‘Disengage’ [deluxe edition]

After a nearly 20-year hiatus, industrial electronic-rock project Circle of Dust is back with a remastered version of their last album, Disengage.

On Oct. 14, Circle of Dust released a new version of their fourth – and previously considered final – album, Disengage. The original record came out in 1998 on a label that was disbanded shortly thereafter. As a result, rights to the material were tied up until 2015. Circle of Dust then made a deal to regain control of all four albums and remaster/re-release each under the FIXT label.

The deluxe edition of Disengage includes demos, unreleased tracks, acoustic versions, new remixes and alternates – for a total of 46 tracks. This is a well-timed reintroduction to the industrial electronic-rock band.  Audiences are now primed for brand new Circle of Dust material, planned for a December release.

Disc one of this three-disc collection follows the original set list, with one previously unreleased track added. The remastering process resulted in increased dynamic depth and fullness of sound. Listeners will find this updated album has enhanced impact. Disengage represents a smooth modernization without dilution.

Revisiting Disengage

“Waste of Time” is the highly textural opening to Disengage. Here, heavy industrial baselines compliment higher tones layered throughout. Simultaneously, slow and melodic vocals act as a counterpoint to somewhat metal-leaning voices. Though heavy in arrangement, “Waste of Time” is accessible enough for alternative audiences to enjoy.

Second, "Refractor" begins with fast metal-infused instrumentation. Though the track quickly shifts into more of an electro-rock sensibility, metal spikes back up occasionally. The transitions here are slightly unwieldy, but the ongoing inclination to veer away from obvious choices is appreciated. As Disengage continues, vocals range from airy to bloodthirsty. Meanwhile, instrumentation covers a wide spectrum – from heavy electronic rock to aggressive ambient.

Mid-album, listeners find “Thulcandra” and “Perelandra." Both tracks feel like theme music for strange creatures in a film. As though representing good and evil siblings, “Thulcandra” could be the Skesis to “Perelandra’s” Mystics. Previously unreleased, the title track on Disengage is also an instrumental. With a billowy and dense sense about it, “Disengage” evokes something huge and malleable moving through space.

A series of remixes follow next, beginning with the aggressive and club-ready “Chasm (version 2.1.0.).” Despite the title, it fuses together elements from a few songs heard previously. A well-executed track, it maintains momentum throughout without losing texture. After exploring a few more remixes, Disengage Disc-1 ends with “Deadly Love (Uncensored)”. This closing cut is a departure vocally from the rest of the album. "Deadly Love" sounds like the result of a soulful tune being filtered through a machine. An enjoyable track, listeners will smirk at the uncensored edition.

Revamping Circle of Dust

Disc two of Disengage begins with a new song, entitled “Machines of Our Disgrace.” While true to the project's aesthetics, it is a clear highlight in the collection. With driving string work, hard-hitting vocals and palpable social commentary, “Machines of Our Disgrace” will get listeners excited to hear more new material from Circle of Dust.

Additional standouts on this disc include “Yurasuka (Blue Stahli Remix).” Intensely driving and impassioned, this well-orchestrated remix will get people moving. Next, “Your Noise (1997)” is quite the opposite. An almost gentle sounding acoustic track, fans will be pleasantly surprised by its biting lyrics. Further along on Disc two, Celldweller fans will recognize “Goodbye” – an apparent starting point for the track that landed on Celldweller's self-titled debut album. Shortly after, “Yurstillasuka” is an engaging futuristic instrumental. “Mesmerized (Instrumental)” adds another point in the wide-spectrum of material in this collection, with a dynamic and fully orchestrated feel.

Disc three of Disengage is largely comprised of demos, which give listeners added insight into the world of Circle of Dust. Audiences have a lot to explore and experience in this collection.

Listeners will be glad to hear the project's core still rests in heavy-hitting electronic rock and industrial music. However, this collection manages to cover a large range of material from that anchor point. Though not always cohesive, it presents am impressive diversity in sound. Audiences will look forward to a new chapter in the life of – a now thoroughly reincarnated – Circle of Dust.