Head Control System
Murder Nature
5.7
If Garm – excuse me, Trickster G. – hasn’t already alienated most of his diehard fans, then I’m sure he’s pretty damn close. His stints in Borknagar and Arcturus produced laudable results. Ulver, his long-running project, has been praised for both its black metal and electronica eras, upending audience expectations with each passing entry. Are you enraged and disappointed by Trickster G.’s apparent eschewing of metal? Save yourself the cost of anger management classes: avoid Head Control System. Besides Garm’s incredible vocal work – which doesn’t mesh with the music of Murder Nature entirely – this album doesn’t have many redeeming qualities.
I’m lazy. Here’s a list: duo, Daniel Cardoso (Re:Aktor, ex-Sirius), Trickster G., The End Records. Anyway, I’m thinking that Head Control System wouldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for the involvement of you-know-who. While his trademark vocals roam in full glory, they don’t suit this style of heavy rock as much as I’d like them to. Perhaps they’re too dreamy, spacey, and lofty – blame The Sham Mirrors for that – or maybe they’re just too high-pitched. The main drawback, however, is the forgettable music. Though maybe not directly influenced by Dream Theater’s Octavarium, methinks there are a lot of similar elements at work here. The keyboard tone parallels that of Octavarium, breaching Linkin Park territory at times (“Masterpiece of Art”), the drumming is noticeably restrained, and the riffs are mostly bland and drab.
Essentially, Murder Nature is pedestrian. Many tracks are worlds away from being memorable, and even the catchiest exceptions aren’t that great. Nonetheless, I do like some of this. The nimble drums, stunning riffs, and tasteful piano interjections of “Blunt Instrumental” elevate it to noteworthy status. The chorus of “It Hurts” excels too when Rygg wails “And it hurts! It hurts! It hurts! It hurts me so my love died!” There’s also the occasional riff or groove that jumps out, but for the most part, Head Control System are banal. As a result, I believe it best to sidestep this offering from the enigmatic frontman and co. His past is like a gold mine, though, since you’re bound to find something of value once you begin sifting through it. Commence digging.
