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Reviews (2)
06 December 2008
A hidden thrash metal gem
No one's reviewed this yet??
I've noticed two things that I've come to appreciate about this album. One, Hypnosia actually know how to write unique and interesting riffs, despite being a "retro" thrash band that released their first studio album in 2000. Two, the production strikes a good balance between clarity and heaviness. It's less fuzzy than something from the late-80s, but in my opinion it's not at all overporduced.
Each song is packed with a dozen or more riffs and the drumming (courtesy of Mike Sjostrand, RIP) is phenomenal. While the bulk of each song is made up of quickly alternating thrash lines with occasional tremolos/double bass, the bridges and drum fills tie it all together nicely and there are plenty of breaks, tempo changes and obnoxious guitar squeals for good measure. The singing is excellent for a band like this. I've listened to Cab's brutal Mille Petrozza screaming about 100 times now and I'm still not sick of it. It's perfect.
"Extreme Hatred" probably isn't innovative, but it gets the formula very dead-on and were it released 12 years earlier, Hypnosia may have gotten much due recognition. If you consider yourself a metalhead and don't love this, then I suggest you kill yourself. Highlights include "Act of Lunacy", "Operation Clean-Sweep" and "Gates of Cirith-Ungol", but really it's all great
12 February 2009
Metal that's... Funny?
1 of 1 found this helpful If you're in the mood for some energetic funk-rock from the early nineties and don't mind a little metal and maybe a laugh or two, then Scatterbrain's certainly a band you should check out.
While Scatterbrain's sound is comprised of ingredients typical for the time period- shout-out vocal sections, aggressive riffs and chilis-inspired funk, the presentation is what sets it apart. For one thing, "Here Comes Trouble" is certainly a metal album, and unlike so many countless other metal bands, Scatterbrain actually understand that their music is entertainment, and they don't mind standing back and poking fun at themselves. The lyrics are funny and irreverent, (notable on songs like "Mr. Johnson" and "Goodbye Freedom") and it's icing on the cake that Tommy Christ's smart-ass vocal delivery suits the material perfectly.
But even if you don't care for Scatterbrain's theatrics, there's plenty to love in the air-tight guitar playing and the diversity between tracks, from the moody segues on "That's That" and "Outta Time" to the 50s doo-wop intro to "Don't Call Me Dude." Not flawless, but definitely recommended