Originally published in ‘zine issue #20, 1997
Brutal Truth Sounds of the Animal Kingdom
(Relapse)
The boys are back with another CD. This time the production is better than last (thank god) as is the material. The problem with these guys is that after releasing Need to Control a few years ago, they felt that they needed to “redeem” themselves from putting out such a well-produced, polished album; therefore they have continually been releasing poorly produced 7″es and CDs in an attempt to build up street cred. Need to Control is the best, most risk-taking album they’ve done and they’ll never top it with this attitude. Anyway, the new opus is pretty extreme and has some ambient noise pieces, but after the main body of the album finishes, the band tacked on some pointless drivel to fill out 74 minutes worth of CD time. To conclude, if you liked Kill Trend Suicide, you’ll like this.
(by Editor) ■
Flotsam & Jetsam High
(Metal Blade)
Unrelenting in its mediocrity, this band has always been one step behind, and evidently decided that they’re OK with that this time around. Rather than fucking around with pseudo-“alternative” metal, they’ve settled on a lethargic version of “power metal,” resulting in track after track of pitifully rendered “songs” using the most clichéd 1984 tactics I’ve heard since the last Running Wild LP. Obviously, this concept leaves a helluva lot to be desired. The only fuckin’ use this tone-deaf, brain-numbing abomination has is its potential ability to sterilize your cat.
(by R. Mason) ■
King Diamond Voodoo
(Metal Blade)
To be honest, I wasn’t bouncing off the walls when this record arrived at my door, but I have to eat that sentiment, because the new King record delivers a powerful punch. The man behind the madness has a new storyline to sing about, and his spoken-word delivery is as chilling as ever. Andy LaRouche returns again, and the rest of the band can play metal as well as anybody. Admittedly, King crosses the line into cheese metal in a few places when trying to put this voodoo flavor across, and I still prefer the older stuff like Them and Abigail, but having said that, it’s still safe for diehard King Diamond fans to pick this up.
(by Editor) ■
Morbid Angel Formulas Fatal to the Flesh
(Earache)
I hate to admit it, but I was excited to receive this record, curious as I was to see what the Ancient Ones’ favorite rock stars had up their sleeves next. Formulas is an entertaining album, sort of continuing in the the direction they established with Covenant and moreso with Domination, since there’s lots of keyboard interludes and mellow guitar ditties. There are alternately tuned guitars, lots of vocal effects, and slow, doomy songs alongside fast, grindy numbers to keep the kids happy. Pete “Terrorizer” Sandoval is as fast as ever, but the new bass player/singer doesn’t live up to David “Genitorturers” Vincent. Also, the lyrics leave a lot to be desired, because they blather on as nauseam about Trey Azagthoth’s Ancient Ones gimmick. I wish he’d write about something with more substance, like his muscle car. Newer fans of Morbid Angel will enjoy this record in any case, although it’s a shame to support these rock stars.
(by Editor) ■
Photo: Brutal Truth (by Eddie Bartolomei)
