by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Static X's sixth album, Cult of Static, finds the nu-metal veterans steadfastly refusing to change their stripes, and why should they? As they say in the album's title, Static X have a cult that enjoys their adherence to all things that were nu in the '90s: riffs that grind instead of groove, merciless mechanical rhythms, vague drowning synths, all dressed with barking Cookie Monster vocals. Static X don't develop their music as much as they hone it, concentrating on its barest essentials, then delivering it with precision and little flair. This leaves little room to lure new listeners, but that's not the point of this sixth album -- it's to serve the needs of the Cult, and it does just that.