Suicide Commando have been delivering electro industrial for some time, and that experience shows in Hellraiser, one the most memorable tracks from the Mindstrip release. As such, this single is a good introduction to what listeners will find on Mindstrip -- heavily distorted vocals, harsh electro sounds, deep bass, and a driving rhythm. Hellraiser is a fairly standard single release, sporting two remixes and a new track, "Fragment of Torture." This track is quite listenable, but hardly as realized as anything on the album. The main feature is, oddly, a guest remix by
VNV Nation. This track may be the reason that owners of the album hunt down the single as well.
VNV Nation have applied their own take on the sounds and harmonies used in Hellraiser, giving the track a smoother yet more complicated feel. However, they have stayed sincere to the original's aggressive electronic energy. The intensity of the original track and the energy of the
VNV Nation remix make this a great single for those that don't already own Mindstrip, but those that do may still be attracted for the
VNV Nation remix alone. ~ Theo Kavadias