Review: Circle Of Dust – 25th Anniversary Edition
The Review That Never Was…
When the 25th Anniversary of the seminal Circle Of Dust debut was released in 2021, I was afforded an opportunity to not only review this but to do an interview with Klayton. For reasons unknown to me, the interview and subsequently the review didn’t happen. While I don’t recall what was going on at that point in my life, I just didn’t feel moved to do much with this. Afterall, Klayton had just released a remastered edition of the debut album in 2016 when he regained ownership of his music. And without more of a story from Klayton himself about what made this version unique I may have felt there would be little to add to my review of the 2016 reissue HERE. Who knows?
Furthermore, when the vinyl version was released in 2022, I once again had every intention to review both the digital and the vinyl … and yet again, for whatever reason the review never happened. However, fast forward 3 years and suddenly another opportunity arose to interview Klayton in reference to the new Circle Of Dust first time on vinyl version of Machines of Our Disgrace which features two new never previously released tracks originally written for the 2016 release. (Original Machines of Our Disgrace release review HERE.) And so, in retrospect, this review never happened in 2021 and 2022 because the timing wasn’t right.
However, now the timing is right, and so here – released in conjunction with the Klayton feature interview – is the long-overdue review of Klayton’s reimagined Circle Of Dust debut – remixed, but NOT rerecorded.
Remixed, Not Rerecorded
For most fans, those initial and original recordings always have a sentimental value, and sometimes when an artist attempts to “rewrite history” so to speak, it doesn’t go over well with the fans even if the artist is much relieved to have their true intention for a song or a recording realized. Would wager to say we don’t have that issue going on here with the 25th Anniversary Edition of Circle of Dust. Why? I may be wrong but, to be quite frank, this sounds like an entirely different album. Seriously, there is a huge departure from the original, to the point that it’s almost impossible not to imagine much of this having been rerecorded.
However, we have been reassured by Klayton (2025 interview) that this remix features all the original guitars, drums, synths and vocals. As discussed in the interview, he just reworked this on a new audio station deploying all the experience he has gathered since 1991 to make this album sound closer to his original intent/vision.
Revitalized
As would be expected, the mix is vibrant with enhanced clarity of all the elements. This has the effect of making the songs less noisy and distorted, giving the songs a bit more of a contemporary Circle Of Dust sound. And while I indicated this sounds like a completely different recording, I exaggerated a bit because although this “sounds” so much different the basic grooves, melodies and of course the words are all very familiar. This makes sense as the original recording was reworked, not rerecorded.
Perhaps the best way to describe, overall, what is going on with these new versions is that they have been brought up to Klayton’s contemporary standard which is a far cry from the “budget-limited, label-directed” and inexperienced resources available back in the early ‘90’s. Listening to these remixed songs again 4 years later, I have a much greater appreciation for this rendition. And if I was called upon to use a single word to describe my impression of Circle of Dust 25th Anniversary Edition I would say: REVITALIZED.
Circle of Dust 25th Anniversary Edition
Important to understand – and long-time fans will know this – the track listing on this release follows the 1995 version and not the 1992 version which included “Exploration” as the opening track and included “Technological Disguise” and “Senseless Abandon.” Therefore, the 10 original 1995 release tracks are remixed plus “Bed of Nails” and the reanimation of “Exploration” in the form of “Exploration (Redux).”
Interestingly, the digital download version consists of the same 12 tracks as the CD, which is unusual for a Klayton release where the digital download usually features plenty of extra tracks/versions. The triple gatefold digi with hard plastic tray features all new artwork and 12-page booklet with lyrics and artwork (pictured above). Surprisingly, the 2LP black vinyl version (with 8-page booklet) (pictured below) features the 12 songs plus a “4th” album side with 4 bonus remixes and “Onenemy (acoustic)” which was included on the 2016 reissue (disc 2). (see vinyl track listing below).
Onenemy
Perhaps one of the most “transformed” and “resurrected” of these songs, this remix truly sounds like a completely rerecorded version. While the 2016 remaster improves upon the “volume” and the “bass” impact, the 2021 remix – 6 seconds longer – brings the vocals up in the mix with less distortion. This is a vital improvement because these words are so enigmatic – simultaneously poetic yet intensely introspective, perhaps reflecting a deep conflict or internal struggle to overcome one’s own enemy (self). In general, the sound of the bass drum kick is punchier/deeper. The middle breakdown section also feels more open, the spoken words more easily discernable. And those scintillating synths just “pop” out in the mix more noticeably. Probably one of the best songs on the album sounds better than ever.
Demoralize
This was always a very “noisy” song, but that driving guitar rhythm is such an important component, and it’s nicely preserved, maybe even augmented, on this mix. The atmospheric synths possess more clarity, and the song overall exudes more power with the remix. The drums don’t sound quite as “sloppy” and overbearing, which was one of the reasons why this song often invoked listener fatigue. In general, industrial metal is hard to endure for long at high volumes, so this version is more listenable, if that makes sense … and the pace just feels a tad slower, which lends more “groove vibe” to the listen. Lyrically, for me at least, this has always been the Circle Of Dust rendition of Metallica’s iconic “Master of Puppets” – the controlled by the deceiver theme paramount.
Self Inflict
The musical highlight of this song has always been the drum beat and that hypnotic, trance-inducing guitar riff. Such a simple riff but so effective and so perfectly reflective of the state of mind depicted so wonderfully in these words.
“Regression, Affliction/Damaging Myself Again/Perfection, Impervious/Desolate Within”
The remix succeeds in giving the bass and kick drum a more acoustic sound and less of a machine, electronic sound. While fans of industrial metal may be frustrated by this, the song just makes more impact, and in the end is more listenable and danceable!
Rational Lies
I have never liked the vocals here, the lyrics good, but not the vocal delivery. A song about the battle for the mind, these lyrics come across with more clarity in the remix, the spoken sound bites as well.
“Get out of my head, leave me alone/You’re no longer welcome here/A voice so sweet with words that kill/A wicked whisper in my ear”
The melody in the background synth has greater clarity as well, which is a beautiful thing as I’m not sure I heard that in any of the previous mixes. Even the breakdown section sounds completely different, truly revitalized and again, more listenable. But yeah, the vocals on this version represent a significant improvement.
Nightfall
The remix is 10 seconds longer than the original version. Not sure where that is added but the original version was always one of my personal favorites because of the percussive impact on this song. Klayton has always incorporated great drum sounds and rhythms into his music, but this song may have represented the impact of that drum creativity more than anything else on this album. The 2016 remaster is good because it augments the drums impact, but this remix has somehow insanely improved upon everything I love about this song.
What I am hearing is a wider frequency of sounds. Some use the term “brick-walled” to describe the overly compressed soundscape of most contemporary digital music. Unless you are listening to HD recordings, most digital music these days is way too compressed, which is why vinyl sounds so good and “different” for those who take the time to appreciate the nuances. This is a longer song, so for those who dare to A/B listen to the two versions, the remix has much less listener fatigue.
Twisted Reality
The remix is significantly longer than the original/2016 version, by 31 seconds. Hmm, maybe in the outrun segment? One of the more aggressive songs on the debut, both from its boldly lyrical stance regarding spiritual deception and blindness and the heaviness of the music, the song possesses plenty of punch and crunch. So how did Klayton make it better … or as some prefer, more different? Mostly in the bass presence and the overall frequency range. Honestly, to my ears, this song varies little from the original, but what do I know … just a great song and clearly hard to improve upon the original. Now it has a more contemporary finish to match the rest of this remix album.
Consequence
Ah yes, the song which proclaims, “Everything we do matters” remains one of Klayton’ s most lyrically dense and wisest exhortations – this time to emphasize that every thought and action has an immediate and an eternal consequence. Once again, there is not a huge difference from the original or 2016 version, just more bass, mid and treble separation.
Dissolved
“I have a bad feeling about this…” Lyrically, this has always been one of my favorite tracks because of these kinds of revelations…
“There exists no dream worth chasing/If it cannot satisfy/There exists no God worth serving/ If He Cannot hear your cries”
…and…
“Your Wealth, your pride/Dissolved in time/Reduced to dust/Your worthless treasures rust”
However good these lyrics are, I have never liked the “canned” sounding vocals. While the sampled spoken parts are more audible in the intro section on the remix and the bass punch is punchier, the compressed vocals aren’t altered significantly enough to notice a big difference. Nevertheless, this classic straight four-on-the-floor rocker remains a bright star in the COD universe.
Nothing Sacred
“My soul is prepared, how’s yours?” This is easily one of the most prophetic songs Klayton ever wrote because in 1991/1992 things seemed bleak. However, the world has changed so much in the span of 25 years, let alone add 4 more since 2021! What was once wrong is now right, right? Many of us grew up thinking that would never happen, yet here we are. One of the longest songs on the album, this hypnotically heavy beast mesmerizes until it crashes to an untimely ending.
I love the mastering volume on this 2021 mix which is pared back a bit from that of the 2016 version. I am listening to these versions at the same volume settings and EQ on my audio system. 2016 is “louder” but 2021 has the more dynamic range and more listenable mix/EQ. Very evident on this track, in particular. Again, 10 seconds longer with less abrupt ending, the more open and dynamic mix makes this feel more “club” and “danceable” yet no less metallic or hypnotic.
Parasite
Not part of the 1992 release, this primarily instrumental number was revealed first on the 1995 R.E.X. reissue, a new song per se but of the same style as the debut in companion with “Bed of Nails.”
Bed of Nails
Another song (also heavily instrumental) for the 1995 “remake” of the debut, for me it is inexorably linked with “Parasite.” I don’t think these songs sound vastly different from the 1995 versions, probably because they were more closely aligned with how Klayton wanted the album to sound when it was first released.
Exploration (Redux)
The original version of this song was excluded from the 1995 remake release because Klayton hated the 1992 incarnation of the debut. This track represents Klayton’s first “remix” of any of the COD material after he regained ownership of the music circa 2015. It would be 5 years later (2021) before we would see the realization of the remainder of the debut remixed in this capacity. This remixed version of the song first appeared on the 2016 reissue as the lead off track, which is maybe not so surprising as the original was, after all, the lead off track on the 1992 version.
Vinyl Rotations (2022)
Pressed on classic black vinyl, this 2LP rendition mirrors the digital versions with heavy emphasis on both wider dynamic frequency range and more bass in the mix. But unlike some vinyl renderings, which are too heavy on the bass, the mix and master here are perfect. As would be expected (and always appreciated), the master volume is set significantly lower than the digital master. No “loudness” here – these songs sound amazing at all volume levels.
Through 3 sides, the song order is the same as the digital versions, but Side D offers something exclusive. While the acoustic version of “Onenemy” isn’t unique to this release, the 4 “remix” tracks are only on the vinyl.
The Void Chapter version of “Twisted Reality” is a darker version of the original, a bit more danceable and trance-like – a great musical interpretation of the distorted world in which we live. While I’ll always prefer the original version of “Onenemy,” this Fury Weekend version “pumps up the volume” in terms of energy and pace.
In contrast, The Anix is one of my favorite “non-metal” artists in the electronic rock realm. Their version of “Self Inflict” is so different from the original, the cyberpunk meets psytrance vibe all the rage. Freqgen is Klayton’s youngest incarnation and I will confess I haven’t yet completely figured out what its all about, but the music is cinematically inclined for sure. This version of “Nightfall” is, without a doubt, a total departure from the original – the electronic, synth-driven rhythm stands in stark contrast to the heavily percussive, bass and tom drum-driven original.
Closure of Circle
In the end, The 25th Anniversary Edition is a must for fans of Circle Of Dust and of Klayton, in general, because the music here represents not only the beginning point on the circle of Klayton’s universe, but also because the songs have been simultaneously realized (with the artist’s true intent projected using modern tools and years of experience) and for the fans and the world, revitalized!
CD/Digital Download Track Listing:
1. Onenemy (4:56)
2. Demoralize (4:13)
3. Self Inflict (5:30)
4. Rational Lies (4:42)
5. Nightfall (5:59)
6. Twisted Reality (5:40)
7. Consequence (4:44)
8. Dissolved (5:10)
9. Nothing Sacred (6:18)
10. Parasite (3:44)
11. Bed of Nails (3:47)
12. Exploration (Redux) (3:53)
Vinyl Version:
Side A
1. Onenemy
2. Demoralize
3. Self Inflict
4. Rational Lies
Side B
5. Nightfall
6. Twisted Reality
7. Consequence
8. Dissolved
Side C
9. Nothing Sacred
10. Parasite
11. Bed of Nails
12. Exploration (Redux)
Side D
13. Twisted Reality (Void Chapter Remix)
14. Onenemy (Fury Weekend Remix)
15. Self Inflict (The Anix Remix)
16. Nightfall (Freqgen Remix)
17. Onenemy (Acoustic)
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