Our take: It’s been a few years since we heard from Portland’s Genogeist, and while I liked their last record, my ears are much more open to their crusty metallic punk sound than they were just a few years ago. Genogeist makes the most of that opportunity too, because this record slays. Once again, Genogeist pulls from across the punk/metal spectrum for their sound, weaving together rampaging d-beat hardcore, intricate thrash riffing, and gnarly mid-paced parts that sound like they were ripped straight from the Bolt Thrower catalog. Genogeist has a way with a riff, but my favorite thing about Technophobia is the energy level… these four songs leap out of your speakers, grab you by the throat, and shake you. There’s a surprising amount of variation across these four long-ish tracks, the centerpiece of which is “Desolate Realm,” where they’re joined by Natanya from Terminal Conquest for a dual-vocal approach that ups the energy level even further. A real scorcher.