The Synthetic Form vinyl

In a heartfelt tribute to the late Mike Wells, Viasonde, with the blessing of the Wells family, reintroduces Gridlock with vinyl reissues of their four main albums, starting with The Synthetic Form double LP. In the mid-90s, amidst a dance-floor-centric electro-industrial scene, San Francisco metal defectors Mike Wells and Mike Cadoo bonded over non-metal influences, leading to the creation of Gridlock. Armed with a sampler and synths, Wells crafted tracks that Cadoo enhanced with vocals, resulting in a grittier, more ominous electro-industrial sound. Eschewing upbeat rhythms for a dystopian pace, they drew inspiration from Skinny Puppy, Einsturzende Neubauten, and Fields of the Nephilim. Their Sickness demo faced numerous rejections for its lack of danceability until Pendragon Records recognised its potential - this reissue is testament to Gridlock's unique legacy and enduring impact.