After
Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame out-sold every debut in Metal Blade's considerable catalogue -- a record the disc still holds -- expectations for the Adam Grossman-led
Skrew follow-up were high. With a more detailed sound, and stronger performances, 1994's
Dusted easily tops the group's initial offering. The programming and sample manipulation on
Skrew's second effort exceeds their earlier work, making this a much more realized and diverse recording. "Picasso Trigger" highlights the thick guitar chugging that separates the group from lesser mid-'90s industrial metal outfits. Abandoning the garbled fright-show vocal approach of
Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame, Grossman chants, whispers, and even sings on
Dusted, setting into motion the performer's pattern of vocal mutation from one disc to the next. Metal fans fond of artists willing to experiment with electronics will appreciate the cinematic yet heavy material provided on
Dusted. ~ Vincent Jeffries