Suffocation - Breeding The Spawn

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Brutal/Techno Death

Brutal onslaught of death metal galore. This might be one of their best releases in their entire discography! They made some really original, unrelenting and pivotal songs ever. I cannot recall a Suffocation album being this likable. They really know what they're doing and they just did it, ABSOLUTELY! These guys knew how to pretty much invent brutal/technical death metal being an act of just enormous influence. Too many bands in the genre(s). They had some great vocals as well, it's not just the perfection in music, but yes the vocals are simply spell-binding. I can't recall listening to a death metal band like this and really liking the vocals.

The sound quality isn't the greatest though, otherwise this would be a top rating album. But it was way back when it was hard to get albums that were well produced. I think I'm right in saying that. These guys not only tore it up here but the music was mesmerizing as well. Hardcore death metal galore. This album is one that's never to be duplicated. Their debut might've been a bit more likable but both are simply amazing. I like the riffs on here a lot of tremolo picking and down-picking as well! These guys know exactly how to construct songs that are just original as all hell. They just wipe out the competition!

The sound quality, as I said, wasn't the greatest of a recording production wise but it's still admirable. The music on here is just blazing! I like what they did here but, if the recording was more solid, then I would've given this a 100%. Great band, album and rupturing genre. They know what to do music wise and they also had great vocals. Only a few things that I'd change on here. But everything else as it was phenomenal. They did the genre justice in regard to setting the tone to the genre. And just talent as well as passion here.

I know the brigade of streaming music probably has this on Spotify and YouTube, but I urge you to get the CD. I was able to pick it up at a local record store (yes those still exist!). So it's up to you to support the music community and the band themselves. You don't get the same effect as would be doing as getting a physical copy to the album. It's worth it! Sad for all of you that don't even have a CD player! It's a great album and this band is still surviving to this day! Show some respect for the music community and purchase this CD!! I doubt you will dislike it! Own it, today! (Death8699)

(Roadrunner/Listenable Records - 1993/2023)
Score: 85

https://www.suffocationofficial.com/

Deicide - In Torment In Hell

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#PER CHI AMA: Death Metal

Upon first hearing this, I think it's one of Deicide's worst albums with the Hoffman brothers. I thought 'Insineratehymn' was pretty generic despite my high score upon a few listens to. The newer generation of Deicide is pretty bad, 'The Stench of Redemption' I marked pretty poorly but in retrospect that was a decent album with Ralph Santolla (RIP) and Jack Owen. But 'In Torment In Hell' I still like, I just think it's really sloppy and uncreative. They kind of pulled a 'Serpents of the Light' intro with the title-track but it's just turned into their own riff. They're pretty careless on here and left their creative juices behind.

I like the intro, but overall the music just sucks. They didn't offer much in airing 31 minutes of shit metal. I'm not sure if they had their contract up with Roadrunner or what. A totally thoughtless release which had many fans (including me) disappointed. How can they take a break and make up for this. With 'Scars of the Crucifix'? I don't know, maybe. But the Hoffman brothers legacy is over onto the next generation (which it has been) of Deicide. I'll always appreciate the first 4 releases from this band. But talk about getting lazy! That's exactly what they did here and their previous (as I noted).

Nothing on here is worth getting excited over. You would think a band would progress over the years and not the reverse of that. But they just show you that they just suck on this album. It doesn't matter what track you pick, they're all equally worthless. I actually went ahead and ordered this on eBay hoping that some day I'll appreciate this album. Listening to it on headphones has me keyed into all the flaws with it that I don't want to do. They used to be an inspiring death metal band with riffs that were supercharged and creative. I guess that they just didn't want to continue their career making quality material.

I heard this on Spotify with disbelief. What happened!! This average score was 45% and hell my score is right about there too! I wouldn't say to buy this even if you are a Deicide fan. I did, but with much reluctance. Putrid as hell, what a major dud! There's nothing on here worth mentioned maybe check out the title-track, "Vengeance is Mine" and "Christ Don't Care." Then you'll get an idea of what to expect. They're still death metal, just at their worst. I don't want to turn you off from being a fan of the band it's just that when music sucks, something has to be said why or what happened that made it that way. Beware! (Death8699)

(Roadrunner - 2001)
Score: 45

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDeicide/

Opeth - Watershed

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Prog Death

This is one HEAVY Opeth release. There's more aggression here alongside some bolstering riff-dynamics which are intriguing. Mikael said that he's "also a genius when it comes to music" and I'd have to agree up until they changed from progressive metal to progressive rock. They should've not sold out because my contention is that they lost some true fans. But anyway, 'Watershed' some call "disjointed" but I say on here highly experimental. When they belt out heavy riff, that's something to admire and bang your head to. Although I like older Opeth more meaning 'Blackwater Park' and 'Still Life', 'Watershed' still has it's moments of precision.

Mikael's vocals are way aggressive on here. It's way on the progressive scale, but I find more brilliance the more that I listen to it. It's not as catchy as the two albums I mentioned, but I still think that its diversity and ingenuity is still there. They are just changing a little bit of styles here on the guitars and vocals. Some things sound a little backwards, but that's because I think that this is one of their more experimental efforts to date. And because of this, I took some points off, not because of the direction, but because of the sounds from the guitar aren't as creative as past works in any respect. One that I haven't mentioned that's my favorite of all-time is 'My Arms, Your Hearse'.

A lot of the tracks are all over the place, but the sound quality is still top notch. I enjoyed the clean guitars and the solemn vocals. But they needed a little bit more grit to the songs to bring the ideas together. Mikael falls a little short of his "genius" here probably because he wants to tend the band into a different direction. This being one of the albums that remains to be maintained before their fall from the metal community. They just show that they were heading this direction. I've found sort of just a select few songs that I can follow and some of the progressive rock sound meshed into this release. It doesn't help that Mikael doesn't like to sing brutal vocals.

In summary, this is a decent effort by the band. But for me, it's just a "70" rating. The songwriting on here was a bit "off" and hard to swallow. I'm not saying that it's their worst release, I'm just saying that it needed some work. Songs don't seem to flow in tandem like they did on their older releases. Well, this is it, hello to the progressive rock that follows a band that had some great talent to just throw it away. I guess Mikael just lost the fire and turned to another direction with the band just to sell records. He could've put more energy into this release and showed us that Opeth's metal days would go on till the end. (Death8699)

(Roadrunner - 2008)
Score: 70

http://www.opeth.com/

Dream Theater - The Astonishing

#PER CHI AMA: Progressive Metal

Nel 2285 l'oppressivo Impero del Peto Preponderante, comandato dal fetido tiranno Na-fart avrebbe vietato tassativamente i rutti, se non fosse che il dotato Gabri-burp salverà il mondo portando clandestinamente in tournée un musical intitolato This is ruttosound! (leggetevi la sinossi nella wiki-pagina inglese di 'The Astonishing' prima di insultarmi, dopodiché pensate come se la riderebbe un Frank Zappa che immaginereste ancora seduto ancora là, a sbronzarsi nel garage di Joe con un paio di quarts-a-beer). Tecno-tarabaccolamenti disseminati ovunque ("Descent of the Nomacs", "The Hovering Sojourn" o "Digital Discord"), una pompo-spettrale "Dystopian Overture" in realtà più simile a un pre-cog medley dei temi poi sviluppati (ma quello che accade un po' prima del secondo minuto ha del ridicolo). E poi, davanti a voi, una colossale distesa di prog-ballad tipo ritagli di, boh, "Forsaken" ("The Answer", "When Your Time Has Come" e tre quarti del resto) ammonticchiate le une sulle altre a mo' di discarica sonora, interpretate con la consueta professionale convinzione dal buon FiatelLaBrie ("Act of Faythe"). E poi applausi, chiacchiericci, rumori assortiti, estemporanee sortite (le trombette tardomedievali di "A Saviour in the Square", le cornamuse di "The X Aspect", il finale di "A Better Life" che trasmuta in una sorta di tango interstellare) e un desolante sahara creativo a comporre la più ponderosa, tronfia, pretestuosa e sfrangiata collezione di scarti della storia del rock. Stupefacente, sì. Esattamente. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Roadrunner Records - 2016)
Voto: 50

https://www.facebook.com/dreamtheater/

Within Temptation - The Unforgiving

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Symph Metal

What a solid release despite the critics. But hey! I'm considered a critic myself. I think "Shot in the Dark" is their most pivotal song on this entire album! But the music on here is catchy and anything but brutal. I'm not a huge fan of alternative metal. But I do dig Lacuna Coil though Within Temptation is pretty much all clean vocals. I like that better actually, especially the clean female vocals like on Epica's albums where Simone sings. Cristina Scabbia is also a great vocalist for Lacuna Coil. I think this band has been around and a lot of discography behind them. Definitely a solid band to change it up from the brutal stuff that I like.

The songs are well constructed, the vocals hit home the most and the music featuring synthesizers and guitars make it a solid recording. What a beautiful voice on here! This band being Dutch like Epica shows you that they can rock! The album is almost an hour of beautiful songs! It's not as heavy as I thought it would be but it definitely is a change from hard stuff. The music and vocals are the highlights to this release. I thought that this album would never end nor did I want it to. The songs are so epic. And the opener probably one of their best songs ever!

The sound quality is superb. Everything seems to be mixed well together. This band was actually a recommendation from my female metalhead friend of mine. I didn't like the album initially because I didn't think it was heavy enough. Then I brought down my expectations and took it for however it is. It's a great "chill-to" album. The music is great and just hard enough to make it metal but not really that heavy. The main focus seems to be the voice. The acoustic guitars too are fantastic. Everything seems to fit together on here. Some songs are heavy but the main focus for them are epic songs.

Either way, don't miss out on some great music. I didn't think that they were that special of a band till I gave them a chance. I guess I'm used to hearing more brutal albums for a while. I need a break from that at times so yeah this is where Within Temptation comes in! I enjoyed this entire release. I think it's way way way too underrated. If people would lower expectations and listen to this for what it is they'd maybe realize that it's a strong album worthy of praise! Own this, now! (Death8699)

(Roadrunner Records - 2011)
Score: 75

https://www.within-temptation.com/

Satyricon - The Age of Nero

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Experimental Black

I cannot believe a great album that got such poor ratings. I think that one thing to notice is the atmosphere of the album. It's quite grim gives you the aura of sheer darkness and dimness. The music is phenomenal I mean the riffs are innovative and wholly original. I liked this whole way through it. They had some great songs they dished out. The originality of the compositions are quite astonishing. They totally kicked ass on here and the tempos were not very fast but groove laden. The riffs seemed to be put together very well. And the we fresh and new especially when black metal was still in its experimental phase.

I like the approach they took to their songwriting. It was quite thought out and well composed. The compositions were not at all quirky or sloppy. They were well accurate and the vocals were cool as well. This isn't an overly aggressive album, but it didn't need to be. For maybe that's the reason people sheered away from it because it wasn't fast enough therefore causing boredom. That's my assessment. But for me, I loved every minute of it. I thought that it was a good concept to show that black metal (like old Immortal) can have a thrash metal element to it. Especially Immortal, they are somewhat known for that.

Satyricon I never got into before I heard this album. That's when I first took notice of them. I thought "this band has a lot of offer the black metal community." And I still think they do. Even the negativity they receive they're (to me) one of the better known veterans of the genre. Then among Darkthrone, Immortal, and Naglfar still are making quality music as well. But on here, Satyricon takes a step in the experimenting with sounds I couldn't believe possible. And I love that groove sound to them. They're really attributed to that in this release the not so overly quick riffs though some songs they did up the tempo to.

Again, I liked this from start to finish. There wasn't a dull song on here to me. I think that critics needed to lighten up on the band and give them a chance for this style and approach. They know what they're doing in the songwriting aspect. And the production was quality. Everything was well heard and mixed. They didn't lag in any aspect of this here. If you're new to black metal, this is a good one to check out and send support to the band by buying a physical CD. This is good even if your preference is other genres because it has a mixture of sounds to it. Show support for Satyricon and check out this one! (Death8699)

(Roadrunner Records - 2008)
Score: 75

http://www.satyricon.no/

Soulfly - The Song Remains Insane

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Thrash/Groove/Nu Metal

Non sono mai stato un fan dei dvd, perchè ritengo non siano in grado di trasmettermi le stesse emozioni che invece può suscitarmi il semplice ascolto di un disco. Veniamo ora alla prima (e per ora unica) release ufficiale video per Max Cavalera e i suoi Soulfly, rilasciata dalla Roadrunner Records nel 2005, in occasione dei festeggiamenti del 25° compleanno di vita dell'etichetta olandese. A livello contenutistico, 'The Song Remains Insane' è ben fornito: include infatti più di un’ora di Max e soci live, catturati in giro per il mondo, durante le loro esibizioni, con tutti i pezzi migliori, da “Prophecy” a “Eye for an Eye”, “Living Sacrifice” e molti altri. Sono poi disponibili tutti i video prodotti dalla band carioca (“Bleed”, “Back to the Primitive”, “Seek’n’strike” e “Prophecy”). Un Max Cavalera a 360°, accompagnato dagli altri membri della band, ci parlano poi di musica, amicizie, famiglia, curiosità varie, dei fan, del periodo di militanza di Max nei Sepultura, arrivando a chiacchierare anche dell’ultimo (a quel tempo) brillantissimo “Prophecy”. All’interno di questo lavoro sono inoltre presenti tre bonus clips, gli studio report e tracce audio inedite. Che dire, questo dvd accontenterà sicuramente i fan della band brasiliana, che da quasi cinque lustri, è sulla scena con il suo caratteristico sound, fatto di chitarre abrasive, ritmiche sincopate e crocevia di stili più disparati, dal thrash all’hip-hop, passando attraverso il reggae e la musica tribale. 'The Song Remains Insane' offre uno spaccato della vita on the road dei Soulfly, rappresentando al meglio la band, la sua musica e la sua filosofia. Il dvd è interessante, ben curato in ogni sua forma e ricco di materiale. L’unico rammarico potrebbe essere rappresentato dall’assenza di uno show integrale che possa realmente trasmettere, ad ogni fan, tutte le emozioni di uno spettacolo dal vivo, dall’inizio alla fine. La durata complessiva è di circa 90 minuti, forse un po’ pochi per una band come i Soulfly. Mi sarei aspettato qualcosina in più da Max Cavalera, lui che è sempre cosi ispirato e ricco di creatività, ma in attesa di qualcosa di nuovo e più attuale ci si accontenta ripescando dagli archivi questo piccolo cimelio. (Francesco Scarci)

(Roadrunner Records - 2005)
Voto: 75

https://www.facebook.com/SoulflyOfficial/

Malevolent Creation - Retribution

BACK IN TIME:
http://www.secret-face.com/

#FOR FANS OF: Death Metal

Probably the most notorious, played out (but never tired of), most talked about Malevolent Creation album ever made. This might read "100%" in rating but I think it can go even higher! The vocals and music are like none other. These guys made a record that no fan is in disagreement on. If they are, they're wrong. I've never heard music like this possible, but they made it possible. Or impossible. Wow, it gives me the chills every time I listen to it! There's no riff that is overplayed, no vocals ill-fated, it's a masterpiece of an album. I cannot get enough of it, even until this day. Being that it was released in '92 and still reigns "CHAMPION" in no speculation into anything else of it.

Being a life-long Malevolent Creation fan and even though they've made some great ones like the first and this, but not all of them measure up. And Bret dying at 51 made them a little lesser-than. But Lee carries them in '13th Beast', it's just that they've had a rocky road even with Bret in the band. But not on 'Retribution'. They just have blast beats galore, choruses that are in high-esteem, riffs that are only made from a god and quality recording which are thanks for that. The music and vocals again are notorious on here. Everything shows their influence but they make it to their own. And nothing to regret here. Maybe that they haven't had enough people to review 'Retribution'.

Achievement in the death metal arena only comes around every so often. In '92 it was them, aside from Deicide's 'Legion', but Malevolent Creation came up with a record that stood out in the genre that year. They too were a young band then and there were all original members. There's only one left, too. Bret had screams that were deafening and here's where you hear it, and good. His vocals complimented the music. They not only destroyed your eardrums, they did on the whole record. I'm happy to say I have a physical copy of this album. I wouldn't want that to be any other way. Were there any flaws here? I didn't find any and I've listened to this album multiple times!

You'll never hear a riff like these played out, vocals ever taken so much precedence over this, and sound quality only with precision. The only thing that wasn't good enough (if that), was the duration of the album. So then, you have to play it again! It'll never go stale with this one. I've never heard anything like this for the band. They kill it all especially your eardrums. They reached glory here and glory it will always be. Bret got me into this album, and the guitars during my guitar days were no compositions like these. I would have to say I'm glad to have lived when they were on top of their game. And this one will be the true CHAMPION always. Own it! (Death8699)

(Roadrunner Records - 1992)
Score: 90

https://www.facebook.com/malevolentcreation

Walls of Jericho - With Devils Amongst Us All

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Metalcore, The Black Dahlia Murder, Bleeding Trough

Sinceramente con un nome del genere mi aspettavo più una band di power o speed metal, però vedendo prima la casa discografica e mettendo poi il cd nel lettore, mi sono reso conto che fra le mani avevo l’ennesimo esempio di metalcore. Che scrivere di diverso allora per questa band di Detroit, che già non sia stato scritto per le altre centinaia o forse migliaia di band metalcore che popolano il music biz? Il quartetto statunitense ci spara sulle nostre facce il solito polpettone di furia hardcore unita ad attitudine punk per un concentrato esasperante di adrenalina pura. Undici irriverenti tracce, caratterizzate dal solito thrashy riff, esplodono nelle casse del vostro stereo, undici pugni nello stomaco in grado di mettervi presto ko. La release dei Walls of Jericho ormai datata 2006 è energia allo stato puro, che mi fa saltare come una gazzella, sbattere il muso come un topo intrappolato in gabbia, lanciarmi in un headbanging frenetico dall’inizio alla fine, per ritrovarmi madido di sudore alla fine dell’ascolto di questo 'With Devils Amongst Us All', un disco la cui non troppo piccola pecca è quella di risultare uguale ad altri mille dischi metalcore. Da segnalare infine che le vetrioliche vocals sono ad opera di una cantante donna, tale Candace Kucsulain che attacca il microfono con un'incredibile ferocia. Solo per gli amanti del genere. (Francesco Scarci)

(Roadrunners Records - 2006)
Voto: 62

https://www.facebook.com/WallsofJericho/

Pestilence - Spheres

BACK IN TIME:

#PER CHI AMA: Prog Death, Atheist, Cynic

È sicuro che non avete mai sentito una definizione più cretina di "death-jazz". Vi viene voglia di indagare. Frastornanti cambi di ritmo trituraossa, un marcescente piede nel culo a qualunque, anche blanda, ambizione melodica (con la notevole eccezione della nebulare "Personal Energy"), dissonanti architetture tastieristiche intrusive ("The Level of Perception") o batteriologicamente ambientali (gli interludi di "Mind Reflections" ma anche le tre strumentali "Aurian Eyes", "Voices from Within" e "Phileas", rigenerati da strumenti a corda) e un chitarrismo alieno, groove ("Changing Perspectives") o un prog-metal quasi generalizzato. Il tutto sinterizzato nella conclusiva, onnicomprensiva "Demise of Time", senz'altro la canzone più straordinariamente vitale e autolesionista di un'intera carriera. Niente più soffocamenti e purulente lacerazioni: 'Spheres' si presenta come una sorta di concept sulla percezione e la conoscenza (non perdetevi la scemenza new-age di "Personal Energy") emananti dalle misteriose sfere cosmiche raccontate in "Spheres" (la canzone), sorta di tondeggianti monoliti di kubrickiana memoria. L'album fu massacrato dai critici e odiato dai fans. Di conseguenza la band rimase inattiva per quindici anni (e non per sempre, come avrebbe invece dovuto). Se al pari del sottoscritto non sapete nulla e non volete sapere nulla di death metal, ascoltate comunque questo album: non vi sarà difficile individuare comunque la sua intrinseca specificità. E magari apprezzarla. (Alberto Calorosi)

(Roadrunner Records - 1993)
Voto: 75

https://pestilenceofficial.bandcamp.com/album/spheres

Lamb of God - Wrath

#PER CHI AMA: Thrash, Metalcore, Pantera

Dopo il mezzo passo falso di “Sacrament”, i grandi Lamb of God erano attesi con il loro sesto album, “Wrath” a rispondere alle critiche ricevute in passato. Il lavoro fortunatamente ci riconsegna una band in un più che buono stato di forma che di sicuro pare essere più ispirata che in passato. Abbandonata la monoliticità che li contraddistingueva nelle vecchie produzioni, questo cd ci regala 11 tracce di velenoso e furioso death thrash, che strizza l’occhiolino anche al metalcore, ma che va a decisamente a pescare dal thrash dei primi anni ’90. Le songs si susseguono granitiche fin dall’iniziale “In Your Words” (tralasciando l’arpeggiata intro di 2 minuti) che apre con quel suo riff stoppato, su una batteria forse un po’ troppo “plastificata” e con la voce del buon vecchio Randy ad alternarsi tra il growling e una voce più “sporca” in pieno stile Soilwork. Grande inizio che mi fa ben sperare per il resto del cd: aperture melodiche, chitarre graffianti e ottime vocals confermano lo stato di grazia dei nostri. La furia si abbatte più violentemente con la successiva “Set to Fail”, toccando il suo apice di devastazione con “Contractor”, cavalcata in pieno stile Pantera, interrotta nel bel mezzo da un breve attimo di sonnolenza catartica dei nostri, prima di riesplodere nella più belluina distruzione. I successivi brani proseguono sulla falsariga dei primi quattro pezzi, mostrando ancora una volta una band in grado di rimettersi in gioco, capace di sperimentare nuove soluzioni musicali, sfoderando una prova tecnica come sempre ineccepibile, regalandoci ottimi cori, un potente massacro a livello ritmico, qualche raro ma buon assolo, stop’n go a profusione (di scuola Meshuggah) e qualche scream tipico dell’hardcore, retaggio delle vecchie origini della band di Richmond, che da ormai più di vent’anni calca la scena mondiale. Le onde del mare della conclusiva “Reclamation”, il suo intro acustico e la nervosa ritmica costituiscono la summa di un album che finalmente ci restituisce una band che sembra essere tornata agli albori della propria gioventù, nel culmine della propria carriera. Grande ritorno per i veri degni eredi dei Pantera! (Francesco Scarci)

(Roadrunner Records)
Voto: 75

http://www.lamb-of-god.com/

Nickelback - All the Right Reason

#PER CHI AMA: Pop Rock

Un paio d'anni di duro lavoro, e i Nickelback se ne vengono fuori con il quarto studio album. "All the Right Reason", è il nome dato a questo capolavoro (definito cosi da molti, ma non dal sottoscritto) che apre le porte ai tanti fan con un mix di suoni che variano dal pop rock molto soft, ad un rock più intenso e duro. Con questo album , Kroeger e soci, hanno cercato di levarsi di torno l'etichetta di band commerciale che molte volte (e non ingiustamente) gli è stata affibiata. Undici canzoni per un album per certi versi strano, infatti ad alcune di queste non si riesce a dare un giudizio ben preciso. In questa release troviamo il singolo "Far Away", che ha giocato un ruolo importante nella carriera dei nostri, perchè entrato nella top ten americana, addirittura alla posizione numero 8. Una lenta ballata made in Nickelback, che ha fatto capolino nelle radio di tutto il mondo, e sopratutto nelle teste dei fan, perchè una delle belle caratteristiche di questa band è di creare dei singoli che riescano a rimanere impressi nelle nostre menti. Il rock duro lo troviamo in "Follow you Home"; un ritmo molto coinvolgente con un testo, che rende altrettanto bella la canzone, in un mix tra un film d'azione in stile "Die Hard" e una piccola aggiunta del loro solito romanticismo che molte volte declassa i loro lavori. Resta una canzone apprezzabile anche se dopo il terzo ascolto stufa. I Nickelback, che in questi anni hanno guadagnato una buona fama e un buon posto tra le migliori band pop rock, una bella mossa se la deve comunque dare se vuole arrivare ancora più in alto. (Alessandro Vanoni)

(Roadrunner Records)

Voto: 65

Fear Factory - Obsolete

La guerra tra macchine e umani continua! Ricordo che quando ho avuto il cd fra le mie mani, ero scettico. Dopo “Soul of a New Machine” e “Demanufacture”, mi sono detto: “mmm... mi sa che questo concept non mi piacerà come gli altri due”. Ho guardato l’artwork del grandissimo Dave McKean in copertina e mi sono deciso ad ascoltarlo. Ha girato subito bene, i Fear Factory avevano sfornato (ricordo che era il 1998) un nuovo album fedele al loro stile, ma non uno pseudo-clone. Idealmente una release che chiudeva una trilogia con i due precedenti, quindi ne segue il solco, tuttavia mostrando una sua personalità. Mi sbilancio: una sua originalità. Procede con una sua linea e le canzoni si alternano piacevolmente dando una sensazione di non ripetitività, non semplicissimo considerando il genere. Undici tracce di un eclettico industrial metal con forti infiltrazioni elettroniche, tra cui si alternano pezzi molto duri (“Hi-tech Hate”, “Edgecrusher”) a pezzi più melodici (“Descent”). Interessante l’evoluzione del cantante Burton C. Bell, che riesce ad alternare sempre più parti growl ad altre più pulite in maniera efficace. Gli altri componenti rimangono a ottimi livelli di esecuzione, forse meno tirati che nei lavori precedenti: non fraintendete, spaccano lo stesso. La chitarra di Dino Cazares, in particolare, suona più bassa del solito. La finezza dell’album risiede nella commistione sempre più profonda con i suoni elettronici: davvero più ricercati che nei lavori precedenti. Il risultato migliore di tale miscela si può trovare nella bella (ma non velocissima) “Resurrection”: davvero si ha la sensazione di perdersi e ritrovarsi. I testi sono coerenti con il concept dell’album: la guerra tra macchine e umani. Sebbene già presente in precedenza, in questo lavoro si concretizza e si dispiega completamente in tracce come “Securitron”, “Smasher/Devourer” e “Obsolete”. Quest’ultima davvero manifesto di questo lavoro. Da notare la finale “Cars”, cover dell’omonimo pezzo del 1979 di Gary Numan che partecipa anche a questa interpretazione. Come riportato all’inizio, menzione speciale per tutto l’artwork di quest’album, veramente coerente con la parte musicale ma per nulla scontato. Confermatissimi! (Alberto Merlotti)

(Roadrunner)
Voto: 75