Review of Hacride - Deviant Current Signals

This record can best be described as "good". It lifts the heavier aspects of groups like Meshuggah, The Amenta and Lamb of God to get its sound. You get a smashingly saturated and percussive guitar sound, and admirable musicianship including jaw dropping drumming. That also includes the LOG style of hollering vocals. And despite the rhythm heavy style of the group, there are some nicely musical solos and riffs, all recorded in a heavy and professional manner. Every instrument is audible, nothing gets lost unless the mix is going for that effect. Toss in some occasionally spacey keyboards and mix up the tempo and you have a damned decent little record.

But amazing? Spectacular? Innovative and inspiring? No. It's well above mediocrity, certainly, but it's also treading well worn ground. It's wearing a spiffy pair of shoes to do it, but you have heard this all before. And you probably dug it, or at least I did. There are a few moments of real creativity here and there - for instance, the album properly closes out with a strange alto sax type jazz solo and atmospheric keys, but overall...too much deja vu. The last couple of tracks are labeled "demo", but they just sound like more of the same. Maybe rougher production, but nothing particularly "demo-ish".

Bottom line here is that this CD is good, straight forward metal styled after the above mentioned bands, performed and recorded well enough to get a recommendation, I think. If the fact that it's derivative turns you off, you have been warned. You won't kick yourself for missing it I am guessing. But if you are into decent metal and aren't too worried about who it may or may not resemble, take a look. Either way, keep an eye on this band. Perhaps next time they will shed the reliance on what we already know and strike out for far countries. Fuck knows they have all the tools they need. If they do I definitely want to see what they come up with.

Release Details

Hacride

Deviant Current Signals

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